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Porter on the Lake: Summerfest is back in 2013

by jmaloni
Sat, Jun 29th 2013 07:00 am

by Courtney Corbetta and Terry Duffy

It's time to celebrate the beginning of summer and enjoy the beautiful weather. So if you're looking for a day full of activities and family fun, the Porter on the Lake Summerfest is the place to be.

The event will be held Saturday, June 29, from 2 to 11 p.m. at Porter on the Lake Park, located on Dietz Road in Youngstown. A $5 admission fee is being charged; children age 12 under admitted free.

Summerfest returns following a one-year hiatus. Last year, the Town of Porter celebrated the bicentennial of its founding with a grand spectacle held at the lakeside park. This year, the event that's billed as the "Fundraiser for the Park" returns in fine style. And the full-day festival is sure to keep every member of the family entertained.

Over past months, the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce has been busy helping plan the event alongside organizers Porter Councilman Larry White and his wife, Linda, and Porter Councilman Jeff Baker and his wife, Gloria, of First Niagara Bank in Lewiston.

Park arrangements were finalized with the town, vendors secured, family activities booked and a number of high-profile bands signed up.

"We've always been involved and this year we decided to take a more organizational approach," said COC President Jennifer Pauly.

She says visitors can look forward to a number of fun things to do and see. Included will be activities for the children, such as a bounce house, petting zoo, pony rides and face painting from 3 to 6 p.m. For the adults, the festival features food, music, beverages and a number of vendors from the area. Bands set to play Summerfest include WhaTheFolk, Second Amendment, The Lakeside Blues Band, JB Aaron Band and Trouble.

The event wraps up with fireworks from Skylighters of New York over Lake Ontario at dusk.

Gloria Baker notes all organizers and the numerous volunteers who helped make this event what is over the years are very excited about the return of Summerfest, which marks its fourth year.

"The very first Summerfest felt as if it was a reunion for the area," she said. She noted proceeds from this year's event go directly toward improvements at the town-owned facility. She invites residents to stop by and support POTL.

Planned projects for the park include new playground equipment, pavilion improvements and park paths, with more in the works.

Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Porter, sponsors for Summerfest include: CWM Chemical Services, Mark Cerrone Inc., Modern Corporation, Sevenson Environmental Services Inc., Tedesco Construction Services Inc., Certo Brothers Distributing Company, Wendel Duchscherer, First Niagara Bank, Michael J. Dowd - Attorney at Law, Ken Young Paving, KI PO Chevrolet, D.T. Truesdell Trucking, Brown & Company, J.R. Swanson Plumbing Co., and George and Nancy Osborne.

Bands, children's activities and more will be part of today's Summerfest in Porter. (photo by Terry Duffy)

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