Lewiston Spring Fling celebration on May 1

Spring has finally arrived in Lewiston and with it the 16th annual Lewiston Family Spring Fling. This is a way to celebrate that winter is over and a time to renew old friendships and make new ones.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Red Brick School (corner of North Fourth and Onondaga streets). The free event is held rain or shine.

The Spring Fling committee has kept the favorites this year. The event will open with a Lewiston Kiwanis and Lewiston Service Guild 1-mile run for youths ages 14 and under. Registration will start at 11:45 a.m. The race will follow at 12:30 p.m. (all on flat ground). Race shirts, courtesy of the Lewiston Kiwanis Club and Lewiston Service Guild, will be given to the first 100 youths registering.

Youths must fill out an application form and a parent's signature is necessary. Parents can run the course with the younger runners. Awards will be given out in age categories. There is no fee for the race. The recreation department is looking for volunteers to help with racecourse safety.

At 1:30 p.m., the 16th annual "Hot Shot" contest will be held to determine the "Knockout Champion" for all age groups. Contestants, male and female, will be divided into age groups for competition. At 1:30 p.m., youths are welcome to play "Slapshot" street hockey.

From 1 to 4 p.m., the Niagara Pioneer Soccer League will have its shootout contest. Using a speed apparatus, officials will determine the speed of each soccer kicker.

At 2 p.m., the Village of Lewiston government officials will challenge the Town of Lewiston government officials to a "friendly" game of horseshoes. The village will be defending its 2010 championship.

At 2:30 p.m. the famous "Oreo-stacking Contest for Adults" begins. See how many Oreos you can stack in a particular timeframe. Prizes (Oreos) will be awarded.

Starting at 1 p.m. there will be a "Street Art Contest" for all school ages. The theme this year is "River Life." Chalk will be provided and competition will be judged at approximately 3 p.m.

Along with the above events, Purpose Driven DJs will provide music.

A basket auction will be held. Prizes in the auction include a Ryan Miller signed puck, a Daryl Johnston signed photo, a Derek Roy signed yearbook, a Calvin Murphy signed bobblehead, and various tickets (including Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, Maid of the Mist, Artpark, Aquarium of Niagara and Old Fort Niagara).

As an encore performance, there will be a display of the "Early Photos of Lewiston" in conjunction with the Lewiston Museum. The photos show how life and buildings in Lewiston have changed.

Other attractions include a petting zoo, hover cars and Bounce-n-Around house.

Hot Dogs and drinks will be provided at no charge, but each family is asked to bring a dessert to pass.

The annual event is open to everyone. It's sponsored by the Village of Lewiston Recreation Department. For further information, call 754-1990 or 754-8271.