Halloween fun in River Region: 'Trick-or-Treat on Center Street,' Tops, Red Brick have 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 activities.

“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 at Center and South Fourth streets. 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 there'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 be 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. Events also will take place on Sunday.

Director Brendan McDermott said, “New this year is a costume fun run on Center Street. There will be a 1-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.”