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Halloween fun in River Region:

‘Trick-or-Treat on Center Street,’ Tops, Red Brick offer family favorites

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

The expanded “Trick-or-Treat on Center Street” is, well, expanding again.

Last year, Center Street was closed from Sixth to Fourth Streets to accommodate the family-friendly candy crush, with participating merchants handing out roughly 2,000 pieces of candy apiece. When the event returns Sunday, Oct. 27, the main thoroughfare will be shut from Seventh to Fourth, and the candy count is set to increase to 3,000.

“I have about 27 businesses that are participating,” co-organizer Kathy Pignatora said.

The artist/owner at Inspirations on Canvas explained, “I’m hoping it brings some good energy into the village.”

“Trick-or-Treat on Center Street” debuted in 2019, but it wasn’t until 2023 that the roadway was closed. The rationale was children were crossing Center and North Fourth streets, traversing between this event and the Village of Lewiston Recreation Department’s programming.

“I think that was the absolute way to go. And we kept the kids safe. I think it was just the best way to do this,” Pignatora said of the street’s closure. “This year, we're going to Seventh to include a few more businesses that asked to be included.”

Family fun at last year’s “Trick-or-Treat on Center Street.”

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Co-organizer and Lewiston Estates & Antiques owner Richie Pysz said, “We're really excited to do that, because we feel it gives a safe space for the kids to be able to trick-or-treat. You're kind of all in one area, so it's kind of fun to see everybody. The kids might get to meet new friends.

“And it is exposure for all the businesses, because the parents might say, ‘Oh, I've never seen this place before. I'm going to come back when I don't have the kids with me.’ It kind of gives them a reason to come back to Lewiston, if they've never been there before.

“We get more than just Lewiston kids. Everybody comes down from above the hill. So, it's good exposure for Lewiston.”

“Trick-or-Treat on Center Street” runs from noon to 3 p.m.

“People are going to be outside as much as possible; so, we'll have tables out front,” with candy, Pignatora said. “There's going to be animatronics up and down the street; we'll have the dance schools on Center performing (Lewiston Dance at 12:15 and Adell’s School of Dance at 1:15 p.m.).”

“We have a lot of fun things planned,” Pysz noted. “We've got Bianca from BB’s Bingo donating her photo booth, so we're going to have a photo booth. Hasley's Farm up in Sanborn, they have a pumpkin stand, they are donating a bunch of little mini pumpkins for us to hand out to the children. We're going to have some decorations, and I think it's going to be a fun time.”

Service organizations and merchants not located in the closed quadrant will be stationed in Hennepin Park. There, the Lewiston Beautification and Garden Club teams will “have a bunch of rocks that are going to be painted orange,” Pignatora said. “You can go and paint the rocks into pumpkins. They have an activity. The (Lewiston) Library has an activity. And then there's some more businesses and whatnot that want to be giving out candy, so they'll be lots going on there, too.

“Just a fun afternoon. 12 to 3 – right before the Bills game. I think that's a 4 o'clock game, so we fit that in right in time (laughs). Restaurants are participating,” including Apple Granny and The Brickyard. “As far as bakeries, we've got the Village Bake Shop, (Just Desserts by) Aimee and DiCamillo’s are participating.”

Pignatora thanked Village of Lewiston Clerk Shannon Fundis for helping coordinate insurance, safety logistics and comfort stations; and she applauded Pysz for hosting a haunted house during the recent Lewiston Harvest & Hops Festival, raising money to offset some of the candy costs.

Upward Niagara Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer Pauly said, “ ‘Trick-or-Treat on Center Street’ has grown over the past few years as a day to bring in children from all over Western New York to the Village of Lewiston. The businesses really get into the spirit of the day, handing out candy and even dressing up. While it might not be a revenue-generating day for them, they view it as giving back to the community. Our hope is that those families come back another time during the holiday season and consider shopping and dining in our small businesses.”

A Halloween display at DiMino’s Lewiston Tops.

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Visit Tops and Red Brick

Children are encouraged to start their “Trick-or-Treat on Center Street” costume procession at DiMino Tops Lewiston. As in years past, kids will receive a special Halloween treat bag.

Supermarket floral lead Melissa Barnes said, “We're doing a ‘It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ theme. And then the goody bag, we've got pretzels, candy, pencils, stickers, some little sticky toys, Starbucks mummy cookies, and a Kool Aid pouch – this year they have ‘Scary Berry.’ We'll have those all.

“And my mom (Christa) will be here. We’ll dressed up like Lucy and Charlie Brown and hand out the treats” from the iconic Peanuts 5-cent guidance stand.

Visit from noon to 3 p.m. in the new display area at 906 Center St.

Inside the store, Tops employees will be wearing family-appropriate Halloween costumes.

"The Salem Sisters" at the Red Brick Municipal Building in 2023.

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“Trick-or-Treat on Center Street” is held in conjunction with the Village of Lewiston Recreation Department’s “Halloween Spooktacular” at the Red Brick Municipal Building, 145 N. Fourth St.

Director Brendan McDermott said, “New this year is a costume fun run on Center Street. There will be a one-mile fun run for kids ages 4 and up, and 100-foot fun run for kids ages 3 and under. There will be costume prizes at the fun run … be creative!

“In order to participate in the fun run, parents must register their child online at https://villageoflewiston.net/halloween-spooktacular. The fun run takes place at 11:30 a.m. at the corner of Center and North Fourth streets.

“All other Recreation Department activities will take place at the Red Brick Municipal Building and grounds from noon-3 p.m. These include the all-new costume dance party with DJ PNasty. ‘Booo…gey down’ to fun Halloween dance music. Returning fan favorite activities include the ‘Haunted Hallway at the Looo…iston Red Brick Building.’ Enter if you dare! Also, be sure to get your picture taken with your favorite witches, The Salem Sisters.

“All activities are free of charge.”

Lewiston Estates & Antiques owner Richie Pysz is co-organizing this year’s “Trick-or-Treat on Center Street.” Inside his store at 621 Center St., “We have a lot of cool Halloween decorations. We actually have an 1800s-themed funeral parlor that we did up front, with an 1800s wicker casket and some really cool items to view.”

 

 

 

Annual Halloween event in Youngstown

The Youngstown Recreation Department will once again host a Halloween party "trunk-or-treat" at the Redbrick School Village Center parking lot with “the awesome parade of kiddos down the center of the village!”

As part of the event Saturday, Oct. 26, a parade starts at noon and runs for about 30 minutes. The route will start at the Village Center, head west on Lockport Street, turn left on Second Street, turn right on Hinman Street, turn right onto Main Street, and finally turn right on Lockport Street and back to the Village Center.

For trunk-or-treat, participants can decorate the "trunk" of their vehicle and hand out candy to children in the parking lot of the Village Center building.

Organizers said, “We had about 200 kids last year, and they had so much fun trick-or-treating at the vehicles.”

They added, “We will continue to look to the local businesses to hand out candy between noon-12:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 – same as prior years. The kids love showing off their costumes in the parade!”

Vehicle registration is required and can be done at https://www.foy14174.com/events-1.

Friends of Youngstown is looking to collect prizes for the costume contest. Those willing to donate a small gift certificate or item from their business can message Christine Rath to arrange collection.

The costume awards will be to the following categories this year: Best costume, best royalty, best family, scariest, best pet costume (new for this year), and best trunk decoration.

For more information, contact either Jeff Gruarin ([email protected]) or Rath ([email protected]).

 

 

Halloween fun in Wheatfield

The Town of Wheatfield’s annual Halloween party and “Not-So-Scary Haunted House” will be held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 2795 Church Road. The event will include photo opportunities, a haunted house, hayrides (weather-permitting), sell-directed stations, light refreshments, and an age-4-and-under secure play area.

 

 

Trunk-or-treat event partners with Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market

Submitted by First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston

The First Presbyterian Church of Lewiston will host a Halloween trunk-or-treat event, in collaboration with the popular Lewiston Artisan Farmers Market, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.

The market’s winter home is located in the church social hall, at 505 Cayuga St., and opens at 9 a.m. The trunk-or-treat event, starting at 11 a.m., will be held in the parking lot at the back of the church adjacent to the social hall.

This event is open to the public and is a safe and family-friendly way to celebrate Halloween.

Anyone interested in participating in the event by decorating their car trunk or helping with crafts and games can email [email protected] or call the church office at 716-754-4945.

The social hall is handicapped-accessible, and there is ample parking in the rear parking lot or on the street in front of the church.

Join in for a spooktacular day of fun, treats and community! All are welcome – and bring your friends and family.

For more, visit www.lewistonpres.org.

 

 

Trunk-or-treat in Town of Lewiston

The Town of Lewiston Recreation Department will hold a trunk-or-treat event from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Lewiston Senior Center and parking lot, 4361 Lower River Road. This event will include candy, games and prizes.

Register a car for $20 at https://registration.teamsnap.com/form/11828. The fee includes candy for the trunk.

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Fundraiser for Boy Scout Troop 829

The “Haunted Jug 2.0,” presented by The Ontario House and Boy Scout Troop 829, will take place from 6:30-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, and from 6:30-11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at 358 Main St., Youngstown. A $20 donation includes a haunted tour and “scary” nacho bar. Other activities will include a bake sale and outside games.

 

 

New York Power Authority to host annual 'Hallow-GREEN Spooktacular' at Niagara Power Vista

Press Release

The New York Power Authority will hold its annual “Hallow-GREEN Spooktacular” between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Niagara Power Vista, the visitors center for the Niagara Power Project. Guests can participate in a costume contest that includes prizes for winners, and enjoy Halloween-themed games and crafts. Free pumpkins will be available for the first 300 children to arrive.

Children up to age 15 are invited to dress in their most creative garb for a costume contest that will take place between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Contest winners will be announced and rewarded with science prizes at 3 p.m. Costume contest participants will be judged by age in four categories: infant to 3 years old; 4 to 9 years old; and 10 to 15 years old. An additional award will be given to the contestant with the best overall costume.

The free community event will feature activities including face painting, balloon art, and free rides on a trackless train surrounding the Power Vista. Volunteers from the Niagara Falls High School Student Community Services program and staff from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation will be on-site providing additional games and treats. Additionally, Boy Scouts of America Troop 855 Lewiston will sell concessions, including hot dogs, chips and beverages, in the Power Vista’s community room.

Visitors at the Niagara Power Vista are encouraged to explore its array of multimedia exhibits, including hands-on interactive technologies, large touch screens, and a virtual rollercoaster relating to the production of electricity, energy efficiency and the area’s history. The location also provides unique views from the observation deck 350 feet above the Niagara River Gorge.

The Power Vista is located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston. Parking is free and will be available in the Power Vista parking lot and adjacent lots at Niagara University. The Niagara Power Vista is a stop on the Discover Niagara Shuttle’s “Falls to the Fort” route.

For more information on the event, call 716-286-6651, email [email protected], or visit www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.

 

Ghost Walks return!