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Mermaids of the Mighty Niagara swim into Youngstown

Sat, Aug 8th 2015 07:00 am

Don't look now, but another festive party has come upon the horizon, joining an already healthy calendar of northern Niagara happenings taking place this summer.

The first Mermaids of the Mighty Niagara takes over Youngstown's Main Street starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. It is presented by a new group in the village that calls itself the Porter, Youngstown, Ransomville Business Association. Members said the festival is a celebration of the area's fresh water resources and beauty.

"The idea was to find a fun way to celebrate the area's connection to one of the world's great rivers - the mighty Niagara River," the PYRBA group commented.

All net proceeds of this "Mermaid Party" will go to the Ransomville Food Pantry, which serves the lower Niagara River Region.

The event promises some unique water-themed fun for visitors along Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic from Lockport to Hinman streets that day. Among the planned activities: a bed race starting at 1 p.m.; a pet parade; kids costume contest; entertainment, including island music by DJ Mike Smith and "Little Mermaid" songs by Teal's Niagara Theater; food and drink; a dunk tank and pie-throwing contest (both for charity); a kids fish pond; street spraying by members of the Youngstown and Ransomville volunteer fire companies, live mermaids; and exhibits.

Organizers report some of the volunteer "celebrity" targets signed on for the dunk tank and pie-throwing events include Youngstown Mayor Raleigh Reynolds, village trustees Stu Comerford and Tim Adamson, Wilson Supervisor Joe Jastrzemski, 2015 Polar Bear Queen Ashley Warren and Zach Collister of the Historical Association of Lewiston.

Others who have stepped forward as targets include: former Youngstown Mayor Norm Swann, Code Enforcement Officer John Stevens, Peter "Butch" Johnson (father of retired Dallas Cowboys fullback Darryl "Moose" Johnson), Sheila Tubinis of the Youngstown Village Diner and local bar owners Pat Stack of Somewhere and Eddie Wojick and Mike Costello of the Ontario House (The Jug).

Donations for the dunk tank throws are $5 for three attempts. It's also $5 for two tries in the pie throw.

Mermaids of the Mighty Niagara is sponsored by PYRBA.org, the Village of Youngstown and Rich Products. The dunk tank is provided courtesy of Tim and Lori Adamson.

For more information, visit http://www.youngstownmermaidfest.com.

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