PubFest seeks to raise $50,000 for Variety Kids, first responders

by Joshua Maloni

Raising $50,000 at this summer's PubFest will be a tall order.

Fortunately, organizer Ken Scibetta is larger than life.

The Lewiston Village Pub proprietor and reigning Smelt Fest King seeks to raise as much money in year four of the Variety Kids Telethon fundraiser as he collected in the annual event's first three years.

"I'm hoping to raise at least $50,000 this year," he told Village of Lewiston trustees at Monday's work session. In 2011, PubFest netted almost $21,000.

"From my understanding, that was one of the biggest contributions" to the telethon, Trustee Vic Eydt said.

This year, Scibetta said he wants to donate additional funds to the Lewiston police and fire departments.

To achieve his monetary goal, Scibetta will stage a three-day event (June 15-17), which he said would be on par with the Peach Festival. He'll have food, rides, a beer tent and more than a dozen bands.

On Saturday afternoon, Variety Kids children will be treated to a pizza party and free rides.

Trustees approved Scibetta's request to use Academy Park for PubFest, and lauded him for his charitable contributions.

Click here for photos from PubFest 2011

In Other News

•The Village Board will unveil plans to add parking spaces to the Academy Park periphery, Portage Road and Center Street at its March 19 meeting.

Most notably: Under one proposal, vehicles would park facing into Academy Park instead of along the existing parallel plane on Portage Road.

•The Lewiston-Porter Class of 1987 was granted permission to use the bandshell at Academy Park on Aug. 11 for a concert fundraiser and memorial scholarship event.

Board members noted the 5 to 11 p.m. event would take place after the Art Festival.

"The businesses will be licking their lips," Trustee Therese Mudd said. Short of restaurant entertainment, post-festival activities are usually sparse in the village.

"It will be a nice weekend," Mayor Terry Collesano said.

•Trustees modified and then approved a request from Savory Sips to hold a concert fundraiser for Roswell Park Cancer Institute on May 12 or May 19. The board asked owner Rebecca Christie to host the event at Academy Park instead of in front of her business at 467 Center St.

"I would rather see Academy Park utilized a little more," Collesano said, noting the outdoor venue has ample parking and seating to accommodate the headline act, Beatlemagic.

Eydt said, "To shut down Center Street for two hours. ..."

"I think it's too much," Trustee Ernie Krell interjected.

The board was not in favor of closing the street - a process that includes police checks, sign postings and cleanup.

•The board did approve a request from VFW Post 7487 to hold its annual Memorial Day Parade at 11 a.m. on May 28. The route begins at the Red Brick Municipal Building, cuts down Center Street, and wraps into Academy Park for a memorial service.

Trustees also OK'd a facility contract for Mount St. Mary's Hospital and Health Center's third annual "CardioCraze" on Saturday, Sept. 15. Participants will walk through the Village of Lewiston on their way to Academy Park.

•Three "no parking" signs will be placed on Center Street, from Third to Water Streets. The purpose of the signs will be to inform visitors of the village's parking ordinance. From Dec. 1 to April 1, no parking is allowed on this stretch of road from 2 until 6 a.m.

•The board will make a donation in honor of the late Lydia S. Soluri. "Cici," who passed away Friday, was the wife of longtime Village of Lewiston Mayor Richard Soluri.