66th Niagara county Peach Festival opens Sept. 5

√ 4 days of fun returns to Lewiston’s Academy Park

The excitement is building in Lewiston as the 66^th annual Niagara County Peach Festival returns to Academy Park the weekend of Sept. 5-8.

A celebration of Niagara County’s bountiful harvests, the festival dates back to 1958 and the founding of its organizers – the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston.

2024 Peach Festival chairman Mark Briglio said he estimates a crowd of 40,000 will attend this year’s four-day, family-fun-fundraiser, weather-permitting.

At a kickoff press conference, he and other club officials went on to speak of the true community involvement that goes into presenting this yearly event.

“You’ve heard the phrase, ‘It takes a village.’ Well, it does take a village,” Briglio said. “We’ve been working on this since January.”

“This festival is the product of the many volunteers of the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston,” said Marty Pauly, past Kiwanis president.

This year, Peach Festival volunteers are projected to serve more than 14,000 pounds (some 7 tons) of peaches along with fresh shortcake made by the famous DiCamillo Bakery. The Kiwanis Club of Lewiston will prepare and serve the peach shortcake under the big tent on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This year’s event will also feature 27 food vendors serving a wide variety of cuisines.

It leads off with the annual Peach Festival 5K Run, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, starting from Kiwanis Park in Lewiston. Event chair Dr. Mark Gallo expects a strong field of runners and said that registration is ongoing. For more information on the run visit https://peachfestival5k.itsyourrace.com/event.aspx?id=119.

 

Thursday night

Food tent open, shortcake tent closed

The “Peach Taste Off” recipe competition returns to the Alphonso I. DiMino Memorial Band Shell stage starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5. This culinary showcase will feature a competition of homemade peach desserts. It is sponsored by the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, the Niagara Gazette and Niagara Frontier Publications/Niagara County Tribune/Sentinel. Prizes include a $100 Savor Restaurant gift card.

Also on Thursday night, the popular Nerds Gone Wild 1980s tribute band will take the stage at 8 p.m. for two hours of live music and “Nerdy” entertainment.

Amusements of America will again be the ride company at this year’s Peach Festival, supplying thrilling and family-friendly rides for all ages. Kiwanis officials said advance sale tickets are now on sale for $25 per sheet at outlets in Niagara and Erie counties, including Niagara Frontier Publications on Grand Island. For a list of locations, visit https://niagaracountypeachfestival.org/tickets.

Kiwanis officials noted visitor safety is a priority throughout the festival. The club has again retained the ride inspection team of LJM & Associates to add a third level of safety inspections to the rides. New York state inspectors and Amusements of America also inspect the rides.

Friday

Peach shortcake tent open

Opening ceremonies will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, with a rendition of both the American and Canadian national anthems. This year’s emcee will be WEBR’s veteran talk-show host and Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Fame inductee Tom Darro.

At 5:30 p.m., an all-star cheerleading competition will be held on the bandshell stage, with local units representing youth football and all-star cheering squads.

At 8:30 p.m., Queen City will take the stage and play until the 11 p.m. closing.

Chef Miabella Opfer makes a world-famous Niagara County Peach Festival peach shortcake.

Saturday

Peach shortcake tent open

The morning of Sept. 7 will feature the Peach Festival parade on Center Street, starting at 11 a.m. Serving as parade announcer once again this year will be veteran radio personality Brandy Scrufari. This year’s march will feature 90 units, five bands and five dance units.

The Peach Blossom and Peach Fuzz contests for the youngsters will also take place on Saturday on the Academy Park stage, at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., respectively.

The Peach Queen contestants will conduct a fashion show at 6 p.m. Finally, the popular “Tribute to Elvis” with Terry Buchwald will take place at 8 p.m.

Pictured at the Niagara County Peach Festival kickoff press conference are, from left, event chairman Mark Briglio, incoming president Tom Fontana, Peach Queen Kirsten Ferree, former president Marty Pauly, Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch and Deputy Mayor Vic Eydt.

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Sunday

Peach shortcake tent open

On the closing day, the stage schedule includes a dance showcase from noon until 2 p.m., followed by live music with Everyday People (3 p.m.) and then the finals of the Peach Queen scholarship pageant (7 p.m.).

This year, 18 girls from Niagara County have entered the competition, each vying for the crown and a $4,000 scholarship awarded by the Kiwanis Club.

2023 Peach Queen Kirsten Ferree said, “We have an amazing group of girls this year.”

She spoke of the significance this opportunity brings to its participants: “It gives us a chance to speak on a platform that we are passionate about – volunteering in our community.”

“Something this pageant really offers is a community outreach,” she said. “We are constantly involved in community events throughout the year, which is something truly special. I really encourage everyone to come out and support us.”

The hostess for the Peach Queen finals will again be WGRZ-TV Channel 2 news anchor Maryalice Demler.

Transportation

Worried about parking? No need.

Kiwanis officials reminded attendees that, once again, there will be plenty of free parking available to all festivalgoers.

“We’ll also have the parking shuttle, so if you prefer not to drive around looking for a spot, you can try the upper lot at Artpark,” Pauly said.

Shuttle buses will be available each day, with departures from the upper Artpark lot off Portage Road. Greyline Tours shuttle buses will provide courtesy rides into Academy Park.

Service times are 5-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday.

Organizers welcome the community to be a part of this year’s event and support the club as it continues to support the Niagara community.

“We’ve donated about $1.7 million over the years,” Briglio noted.

“The Peach Festival is our main revenue source,” said Tom Fontana, Kiwanis incoming president. “This is how we’re able to support our charitable organizations, children’s programs and community events.

“A lot of money that you spend at the Peach Festival goes to Lewiston Kiwanis for our programs and service to the community. Once again, we want to fill this field, so everyone come out to the Peach Festival. It will be a fantastic weekend.”

For more information, visit https://niagaracountypeachfestival.org. 

 

 

Meet your Niagara County Peach Queen candidates

Submitted by the Niagara County Peach Queen Scholarship Pageant

This year, 18 wonderful young women between the ages of 17-20 are competing for the title of Niagara County Peach Queen and a $4,000 scholarship! 

Since the beginning of August, contestants have met for different events and volunteer opportunities. To date, the contestants have given over 150 combined in community service hours since the beginning of August. Collectively, they gathered 425 backpacks that were distributed at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls in collaboration with United Way and the Salvation Army of Niagara Falls. Additional backpacks have been given out at the Salvation Army from what was collected. 

Reigning Peach Queen Kirsten Ferree has spent the entire year volunteering and representing the Lewiston Kiwanis Club at different events.

Click to enlarge (PDF)

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Contestants are encouraged to give back to the community, learn about civic participation, develop skills to feel confident speaking in front of others, and develop a one-minute speech on something that is important to them.

Private interviews will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 4, followed by the onstage portion on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8.

Jennifer Pauly, chairwoman of the program and 1997 Peach Queen, has had a wonderful time getting to know the contestants.

"This program is a great way for young women to get involved in the community, meet others and be a part of Peach Festival history!” she said. “My hope is that they walk away from the experience with a positive view on community service and trying something new.”

The Peach Queen finals will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, on the Alphonso I. DiMino Memorial Band Shell stage.

 

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