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Plans take shape for 56th Niagara County Peach Festival

by jmaloni
Thu, Aug 15th 2013 07:00 am

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston, organizers of the 56th annual Niagara County Peach Festival, report final planning is underway for the annual fall favorite, set to take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 to 8, at Academy Park in the Village of Lewiston.

Latest Kiwanis announcements include the following:

•Jeff Sanderson, Lewiston Kiwanis president, announced Randy Gorzka was named the general chairman of the 56th annual Niagara County Peach Festival. Gorzka has been co-chairman of the Peach Festival for the past two years and served as chair of the peach tent at the festival and the festival's 5K run. He has also served on the festival advisory committee and as the Kiwanis president.

Gorzka is proud that Lewiston Kiwanis serves Niagara County peaches in its famous shortcake. He invites all families to attend the 56th edition of the Lewiston Kiwanis Niagara County Peach Festival.

He reports a contract has been agreed upon with Singer Farms to supply 6.5 tons (or 13,000 pounds) of peaches for this year's event.

"Jim Bittner concluded meetings with the Peach Chairman Gary Rose and a successful arrangement was agreed upon to provide Niagara County peaches," Gorzka said. "Bittner's cooperation and enthusiasm will enable the Kiwanis to serve Niagara County peaches for the fifth year.

This year's Peach Festival will be a true tribute to Niagara County farmers, especially Singer Farms and Bittner, Gorzka adds.

•Jerald I. Wolfgang, chairman of the annual Lewiston Kiwanis Peach Festival Parade, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 7, announced Lewiston Kiwanis is now seeking entries for the parade. The parade route will begin at the Village of Lewiston Red Brick Municipal Building and then continue on North Fourth Street, down Center Street to Academy Park.

The parade, which typically sees in excess of 100 units participating, begins at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Cash prizes of more than $2,000 and trophies will be awarded to the outstanding school bands, senior bands, majorette units, fire companies, floats, drill teams and color guards. Any units desiring entry blanks should contract Wolfgang at 716-754-7745. Entries for the parade will be accepted until Aug. 30.

•Lewiston Kiwanis member John Frandina reports applicants are still being accepted for this year's Peach Fuzz contest, taking place Saturday, Sept. 7. Applications are available online at www.lewistonkiwanis.org and at the following Lewiston locations: The Village Bake Shoppe, 417 Center St., Artzee, 549 Center St., and at Sister and Brother Children's Apparel, 484 Center St.

Contestant openings for the Peach Blossom competition are now filled.

•Gorzka has announced that this year's cheerleading competition, which is sponsored by DiMino's Lewiston Tops Market, will be held on Friday, Sept. 6, at 5 p.m. at Academy Park.

All high school cheerleading groups from Western New York and Canada are invited to participate, as well as all-star, town and youth football cheerleaders.

Participants will perform a maximum five-minute routine containing a cheer and music portion (for a minimum of two and a half minutes). Trophies will be given for first, second, and third place.

There is no charge for a team to enter. For further information and entry materials, contact Wolfgang. More information about the peach festival is available at www.lewistonkiwanis.org.

Judges for the cheerleading competition are AnneMarie Dimino-Hepfer, Carol Houwaart-Diez, Lewiston Town Councilman Ronald Winkley, Robert S'dao and Margaret Toohey.

•Lewiston Kiwanis is again sponsoring the peach recipe contest taste-off.

Applicants can send their original peach recipe in the "cake/pie" or "all other desserts" categories to: Peach Festival Taste-off, 310 Niagara St., Niagara Falls, NY, 14303. The deadline to enter recipes is Friday, Aug. 26.

The judges for the Taste-off are: Lynn Catalano, executive director of the Mount St. Mary's Foundation; Lewiston homemaker Vicki DeVantier; Mary Mistriner, pastry professor; and James Klyczek, president of Niagara County Community College. The four judges will pick 10 finalists from all entered recipes.

On Friday, Sept. 6, at 6 p.m., finalists will display their desserts in the peach tent and will compete in a taste-off. The winner of the taste-off will receive a $200 gift card. Other prizes will be awarded to the top 10 entries.

Stay tuned to the Sentinel or visit www.wnypapers.com or www.lewistonkiwanis.org for continuing updates on this year's Niagara County Peach Festival.

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