Lewiston Harvest Festival and Craft Show celebrating 31 years

'Fall' in love with Niagara River Region

Celebrate the beginning of autumn in the historic Village of Lewiston and the work of talented Western New York crafters and jewelry artists at the 31st annual Lewiston Harvest Festival and Craft Show. The festival runs along Center Street from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28. It is free and open to the public.

More than 100 vendors will showcase their artwork, jewelry, woodwork, candles and handmade crafts throughout the weekend. A variety of food vendors will be found along the craft show route on Center Street. Specialty boutiques, retail shops and local restaurants also will be open, adding to the charm of the village's festival atmosphere.

The farmers market, located on South Fifth and Center streets, will include a variety of fall harvest produce favorites, hardy mums, fresh honey and more. Throughout the festival, guests can find a selection of wines from local Niagara Wine Trail wineries.

On Saturday, entertainment in the Peace Garden will feature the "Earth Voices of the Great Spirit" Native American program from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The Lewiston Council on the Arts hosts this event. The Hot Country Line Dancers will perform in the KeyBank parking lot at 1:30 p.m., while entertainment at the Hennepin Park Gazebo includes the Niagara Fiddlers Club at noon and the Lewiston Choraleers at 1 p.m.

Sunday's entertainment schedule includes Joe Webber from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., and country favorite Colt 45 Country Music Band from 1:30-4 p.m. Both perform at the Frontier House stage.

Sponsors for this year's festival include Hardison Funeral Homes, The Modern Corporation, Niagara Frontier Publications and Niagara Gazette.

The Lewiston Harvest Festival and Craft Show is the start of the autumn season of events taking place in the Niagara River Region. Additional events include the annual Scarecrow Display along the main streets in the four communities (Oct. 2-31); Marble Orchard Ghost Walks throughout October; The Youngstown Folk Music and Arts Festival (Saturday, Oct. 4); Autumn Fest in Sanborn (Oct. 4-5); Old Fort Niagara's "Haunted Fortress" (Saturdays, Oct. 18 and 25); and "Spooktacular" at the Niagara Power Project Visitors Center (Oct. 25).

For more information on these fall events, call the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce at 716-754-9500 or visit www.NiagaraRiverRegion.com.

^{Photos by Wayne Peters}