Annual Lewiston Country Fair returns next Saturday

The Village of Lewiston Recreation Department together with the Lewiston Garden Club is sponsoring the 18th annual Lewiston Country Fair on Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St., during the Community Yard Sale.

The Recreation Department is now is looking for amateur gardeners, farmers, bakers, photographers and creative children and adults to join in the fair. The Lewiston Garden Club will be helping with registration and the judging.

Registration for the competition takes place from 8:45 to 10 a.m., with judging to take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Registration and category forms can be obtained at the village offices or the Recreation Center in the Red Brick. There will be competition for the best in vegetables and the best in flowers. Vegetables will be judged in many different divisions; large pumpkins are welcome.

Flower judging will be held and based on those blooming in September, as well as dried arrangements and houseplants. Various categories will be included. All vegetables and flowers must have been grown by the entrant.

Amateur bakers are invited to partake in the cake, pie, cookie and miscellaneous competition. All ingredients must be from scratch and ingredients must be listed. Excluded items include instant pudding, cake mixes, etc. Each division will be judged with their individual winners and a Best of Show.

Returning this year will be the relish and jams competition, and include pickles, salsa and relishes, jams and preserves. Ingredients must be listed and must be made from scratch.

Families and individuals are invited to submit a scarecrow entry in the "Avenue of Scarecrows." Ribbons will be awarded in various divisions and a Best of show ribbon presented for the best scarecrow. Each entrant must supply his or her own scarecrow.

Also returning will be the photography competition. All amateur photographers are urged to submit their photo in one of four categories: nature, people, landscape and photos of Lewiston. A special prize will be awarded to the Lewiston category winner. Photos can be in color or black and white. All photos are to be at least 5 by 7 inches, and must be matted or framed. Only two photos can be submitted for each of the categories.

There will also be craft category competition; visitors are invited to bring in their crafts for judging. Open categories are wood, printing, painting, wreaths, crafts, needlework/sewing, (no clothing, unless part of another craft such as beading or quilting), crochet/knitting, quilts, and miscellaneous.

Other activities include:

•Local entertainer Chris Borgatti, a local entertainer, who will be singing in the large tent from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

•A Photo Clothesline Show, returning for the fifth year and featuring photos of vintage items from Lewiston's past. The show will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is presented with the sponsorship of the Lewiston Museum.

•The Community Yard Sale, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Red Brick. Spaces will be available to rent for those wishing to sell unwanted items. Cost is $12 for a 10 by 10-foot space ($15 after Sept. 8). To reserve a space, call 716-754-1990.

•The Lewiston Junior Garden Club will be hold a "Make your own Arrangement" program from 11:30 a.m. until supplies are deleted. Participants ages 3 to 93 years old can make an arrangement with mums by stopping by the club's booth. All supplies will be provided free of charge.

Additional events for the Country Fair include free popcorn, drinks, and balloons.

•From 11 to 1 p.m. there will be a petting zoo; and from noon to 2 p.m. a Bounce-n-Around will be on site along with a balloon sculptor.

All events are free and open to residents and non-residents alike. The Country Fair will be held rain or shine with as many events moving inside the Red Brick as possible in the event of inclement weather.

For more information, call 716-754-1990 or visit www.villageoflewiston.net.