Niagara River Anglers lure crowds to annual Smelt Festival May 3 along Lewiston waterfront

"Lewiston never smelt so good" as it does during the annual Lewiston Smelt Festival.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Lewiston and The Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers Association, will celebrate one of the region's most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival on Friday, May 3, at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront.

Beginning at 6 p.m., the Niagara River Anglers will batter and fry 400 pounds of smelt, which will be given out in free samples (donations accepted for Niagara River Angler's community programs). The Niagara River Anglers and Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce staff, board of directors and local dignitaries will serve the free smelt samples. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.

"The Smelt Festival is truly a one of a kind event," said Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Pauly. "Good music, food and drink and the free smelt sample is all you need to have a great time on the waterfront!"

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation deemed Lewiston one of the best places in the country for smelt dipping. Smelt, which feature a distinctive cucumber fragrance when plucked from the water, are one of the few fish that sportsmen are allowed to net.

Smelt-tasters can enjoy entertainment from the Lakeside Blues Band on Friday night and an appearance by the "Smelt King." This Smelt Festival is geared toward an adult audience. Falls Tent and Awning will supply the tent, stage, and tables. Portable toilets will be on the premises, donated by the Modern Corp. Waste Management sponsors the festival.

During Smelt Festival weekend, Lewiston restaurants will be busy preparing their own culinary variation of the fish. Participating restaurants can be identified by a decorative fish flag outside their doors.

For additional information, call the chamber office at 716-754-9500, or visit http://www.NiagaraRiverRegion.com.