Lewiston Family Spring Fling ushers in season

by Marianne Gittermann

Village of Lewiston Recreation Director

Spring has finally arrived in Lewiston and with it the 18th annual Lewiston Family Spring Fling. This is the way to celebrate that winter is over and a time to renew old friendships and make new ones.

The 18th annual Spring Fling is scheduled for Sunday, April 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Red Brick Municipal Building and is sponsored by the Village of Lewiston Recreation Department. The event is held rain or shine.

The Spring Fling committee has kept past favorites for this year's event. The Spring Fling will open with a Lewiston Kiwanis and Lewiston Service Guild one-mile run for youths 14 and under. Registration will start at 11:45 a.m. at the Onondaga Street end of the Red Brick. The race will start at 12:30 p.m. and is run all on flat ground.

Race shirts courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston and Lewiston Service Guild will be given to the first 100 youths registering. Youths must fill out an application form (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 the race course safety.

•At 1 p.m., an encore presentation of "Historic Photos of Lewiston - People - Series 3" will be displayed in the gym. This is a selection of historic photos normally not in the public eye. The show is done in conjunction with the Lewiston Museum.

•Starting at 1 p.m., there will be a street art contest for all school ages. The theme this year is "What is growing in your garden?" Chalk will be provided. Competition will be judged at approximately 3 p.m.

•At 1:30 p.m., youths are welcome to play slap shot street hockey. Bring your hockey stick.

•The basket auction will run from 1 to 3:30 p.m. There is a wide selection of prizes: everything from autographed pictures of athletes to tickets to the Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, Artpark, Maid of the Mist, Old Fort Niagara, The Aquarium of Niagara and Castellani Art Museum. Also included in the mix will be a variety of prizes for children and adults.

Along with the above events, Asylum Productions will provide music. Again this year there will be a free petting zoo, a Hover Car ride and a Bounce-n-Around bounce house. Niagara Pioneer Soccer League will have its "Soccer Kick Speedometer" for budding soccer players, and a balloon sculptor will be present from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Bring a dessert to pass. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided at no charge.

The free event is open to everyone. This is a great way to renew friendships and to welcome new residents to Lewiston. Bring your family and friends.

The Village of Lewiston Recreation Department sponsors this Lewiston Family Spring Fling. For further information, call 716-754-1990 or 716-754-8271.