By Travis LeFevre
The Hyde Park "Summer Bash" is taking place Saturday, July 28, with events all day.
Activities will start with a youth fishing derby at 9 a.m. Participants must register between 7 and 9 a.m. to participate. The boys and girls division is for children ages 6-16 and no fishing license is required. The only boundary for the derby is the shoreline of Hyde Park Lake.
Winners will be decided by the largest fish weight per contestant with prizes going to the first-, second- and third-place winners of each division. The weight station closes at 11 a.m. and all fish that are caught will be released.
For more information on the youth fishing derby, contest coordinator Joe Urso can be contacted at 716-334-0835.
Following the derby, there will be kayaking at 12:30 p.m., as well as live music performances from Lew Custode and Jack Civiletto at the rose garden followed by A-List and White Chocolate at the main stage behind Sal Maglie Stadium.
The Niagara Falls Police Department and the Niagara Falls Fire Department will have activities and educational events for kids, including bounce houses and fire safety activities.
As for food and drink, there will be food trucks on location, including Ms. Judi's and the Anchor Bar plus the options of cotton candy, fried dough and ice cream. For those 21 and over, a beer tent will be present, sponsored by the Pine Avenue Revitalization Project.
Other things to do throughout the day include Niagara Power baseball and visiting the swimming pool, skate park, golf course and tennis courts.
The day is an event designed to allow guests to reconnect with the city park.
Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said, "This family-friendly and free event is an exciting kick-off to the season and the many activities we have planned for summer 2018. Under the direction of City Clerk Lisa Vitello, our community partners in the Pine Avenue Redevelopment Project, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and many members of my administration have worked hard to organize what I know will be a wonderful celebration. I encourage everyone to take part and help us to kick off 'Summer Bash' 2018."
Niagara Falls City Clerk Lisa Vitello added, "This was truly a collaborative effort. 'Summer Bash' will be a great opportunity for our residents to come out and enjoy our beautiful Hyde Park and celebrate summer with family, friends and neighbors. This is a free, daylong event with something for everyone."
This event was originally set for June 23, but was postponed due to the possibility of lightning and thunderstorms.
A rain date is set for Sunday, July 29.
