Youngstown readies for a busy Saturday

Saturday, Aug. 20, will be a very busy day in Youngstown. The village will host both the Nancy Price Memorial 5K run and the eighth annual Youngstown Community Picnic. The race begins with registration at the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co. firehall at 8:30 a.m. Picnic events begin with a fishing derby from 8 a.m. to noon at the south dock, coordinated by the Niagara River Anglers Association. The fishing derby is open to all ages and great prizes are given in a variety of categories. The Niagara River Anglers provide everything needed to successfully fish, including the guidance of expert fishermen. The Lewiston-Porter Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will be offering coffee and doughnuts, as a program fundraiser.

"The Community Picnic began as a celebration for the village's sesquicentennial in 2004. It was such a wonderful time, we made it an annual event," said Jodee Riordan, picnic chairwoman. "We bring the village together around food and festivities, at the waterfront and the park. It's one of my favorite days of the year."

The Community Picnic follows from noon to 4 p.m. at Falkner Park. Hot dogs and hamburgers are provided by the Village of Youngstown, grilled up by the Youngstown Lions Club and served by members of the Youngstown Baptist Church. Just about every civic organization in the village turns out to lend a hand, says Riordan.

The community is asked to bring a dish to pass and many local restaurants will be donating a dish to share. Food and events are free and open to the public.

There will be raffle tickets on sale for the upcoming Youngstown Firemen's Field Days, local author Norah Perez will be selling and signing her new regional historical fiction book, "River Burning," and other fundraisers are being held for local organizations.

There will be a formal dedication of the Youngstown Peace Garden at 2 p.m. (see Sentinel, July 30); the Old Fort Niagara Fife and Drum Ensemble will provide 1812 music, and dignitaries from the U.S. and Canada will speak on the 200 years of peace that has existed between the two countries and the significance of the garden. As part of the dedication ceremony, four school children representing the Lewiston-Porter Intermediate Center and the Tuscarora Indian School will share in planting additional plants in the Peace Garden. "It is not an event to be missed!" says Riordan. "The Peace Garden is a beautiful and lasting addition to our village and its history."

In addition to the Peace Garden dedication, scheduled events include a pie-baking contest; old-fashioned games; a watermelon-eating contest; fire truck rides by the Youngstown Volunteer Fire Co.; local crafters and artisans; face-painting; airbrush tattoos; programs offered by the Youngstown Free Library; a bounce house; make-your-own-sundaes; arts and crafts for children and much more.