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Halloween front & Center in Lewiston

by jmaloni
Sat, Oct 19th 2019 07:00 am

Trick-or-treating will have new meaning starting next weekend, as the Village of Lewiston will offer a cornucopia of events, costume competitions, food and drink specials and even a petting zoo.

That sure beats a handful of candy corn.

‘Trick-or-Treat Center Street’

The Lewiston Business Group is sponsoring its first “Trick-or-Treat Center Street” event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.

Scheduled programming includes a Halloween photo-op, costumed characters roaming the roadway ready for scary selfies, a petting zoo and (why not?) a flash mob. In addition, storefront windows will be decorated for the season, retail stores will offer special promotions and restaurants will have fall fare.

This event is rain or shine.

DiMinos Tops

Also on Saturday, Oct. 26, DiMinos Tops welcomes children and families to the supermarket for a day filled with Halloween treats, activities and giveaways.

“We are basically doing the same event we’ve been doing for the last 50 years. We have contests for costumes. We’ll be giving out candy and fruit, and different things from different departments. We’re also giving out a free pumpkin for every child that comes in costume or not,” owner Anthony DiMino said. “And, basically, we’re trying to piggyback on the idea of having the whole village doing a trick-or-treat-type theme for the whole Center Street. We felt that it was a great idea. Like I said, we’ve been doing it for over 50 years. Normally the Saturday before Halloween; so, it was a perfect tie-in.

“We’re hoping that everybody starts from either my end going towards the river, or from the river to us last. It should be a great event. Hopefully the rain and the wind and everything else will subside, and we’ll have some great weather for Halloween.”

DiMino said it’s a festive atmosphere inside the store, and one that’s “fun for everybody.”

“All my associates … are asked if they want to dress up. So, they’ll be dressed up. We have an employee contest for dress up for them,” he said. “The kids are excited. They see the costumes. We’ll have doughnuts and cider and prizes. It’s normally a great event.”

Shoppers also can take advantage of a special reusable bag sale (see coupon in this week’s Sentinel).

‘Halloween Bash’

Later that night, Mike Carroll’s fundraising fright fest returns to the Brickyard Brewing Company, 436 Center St.

The 11th annual “Halloween Bash” kicks off at 8 p.m. and includes music from DJ Mike Irish, costume contests, a 50/50 split draw, and an open bar.

Tickets are $35, with proceeds going to the inclusive playground at Marilyn Toohey Park.

Recreation Department

The Village of Lewiston Recreation department will host its annual Halloween party from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the Red Brick Municipal Building gymnasium, located on the corner of North Fourth and Onondaga streets. The community party will have carnival games, a bounce house, costume prizes, candy, food and drink.

“The Village of Lewiston Recreation Department Halloween party is an annual village tradition,” Recreation Director Brendan McDermott said. “We host over 500 patrons throughout the night. The community knows that this is a safe, family-friendly event that kids of all ages can enjoy.”

McDermott noted preregistration is not necessary, and this is a free event due to donations from village retailers and professionals.

“We are fortunate to have such generous businesses that help contribute towards the event,” he said.

For more information, call 716-754-1990 or email [email protected].

•Trick-or-treat hours in Lewiston are from 4-8 p.m. on Halloween.

Staying Home?

For those who would rather Halloween from home this year, WKBW-TV Channel 7 (ABC) will air “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, and then again at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, with a bonus run of “You’re Not Elected, Charlie Brown.”

In Charles M. Schulz’s classic animated “Peanuts” special, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” the gang celebrates with Linus hoping that, finally, he will be visited by The Great Pumpkin, while Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party.

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