The 2019 Niagara County Peach Festival could be the last one held in Academy Park.

Those taking in all that next weekend's Northwest Jazz Festival in Lewiston has to offer need to circle Sept. 6, 7 and 8 on their calendars. Yes, that's Peach Festival weekend in Lewiston. But it's also Jazz Festival weekend in Youngstown.

Village Mayor Anne Welch assembled a group of artists in mid-July with the intent of promoting Lewiston as an arts destination. They met again on Wednesday - this time with some notable additions - looking to implement strategies to increase public awareness.

Two summers ago, the French street theater group Plasticiens Volants wowed people when it debuted "Big Bang" Lewiston. The troupe told a story of creation through a dazzling mix of floating inflatables, videos, lights and music. Its colorful creations filled the night sky, and were manned by performers weaving in and out of the crowd.

Fine art will meet coal-fired pizza when Michael Hibbard makes over the corner of Center and North Fourth streets in Lewiston.

"Tuesdays in the Park" boasted a triple-bill with Tommy Tutone, Loverboy and headliner Rick Springfield. The "Best in Show" tour offered more than three hours of high-energy performances, complete with a smorgasbord of hit songs and some unexpected fan interactions.

Old Fort Niagara is hosting its final reenactment of the season, the "War of 1812 Encampment," on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, at the National Historic Landmark in Youngstown. This encampment portrays the British attack on Fort Niagara during the American occupation in December 1813, and includes a special evening battle and daily activities for all.

The Niagara County Workforce Development Board and Niagara's WorkSourceOne will hold a career fair from 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21, at Wurlitzer Events, 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda.

readMedia: New York National Guard troops, in cooperation with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES), will present a free disaster preparedness class at the Niagara County Crossfire Community and Emergency Services Training Academy in Ransomville on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

This Friday night, Ransomville Speedway will salute the fans in the stands on Fan Appreciation Night presented by Firth Jewelers and Relco Systems.

Ever wonder what it's like to drive an electric car? The New York Power Authority invites readers to come to the Niagara Power Vista on Saturday, Aug. 24, and find out.

The Artpark Percussion Garden is annually in bloom. Each year, new interactive installations come to life and add a fresh dimension to the scenic area of the park. The latest piece is a sculptural collaboration titled "The Artpark Bridges Garden." It opened Monday.

The Family & Friends Down Syndrome Association of Niagara Inc. announces its 23rd annual Buddy Walk of Buffalo/Niagara, WNY's Down Syndrome awareness walk of Buffalo and Niagara County. The event will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, as part of the Niagara County Peach Festival parade in Lewiston.

The Lewiston Council on the Arts has revealed the winners of the 2019 Lewiston Art Festival.

Niagara County's Purple Heart recipients were honored Wednesday evening at a special ceremony organized by the office of Niagara County Clerk Joseph Jastrzemski.

The New York State Department of Transportation announced work is continuing on the project to remove a portion of the Niagara Scenic Parkway in the City of Niagara Falls. As a result, new detours are scheduled to begin.

A new school year is around the corner and excitement is starting to build around the Lewiston-Porter School District.

Mark your calendar for the three special events coming to Lewiston, as the Historical Association of Lewiston continues its quest to share Lewiston's unique history and offer great education and entertainment to citizens.

Those neat activities and community offerings found at the Youngstown Free Library just continue to pop up - the latest being some innovative fundraising ventures.

At the Village of Youngstown Board of Trustees regular board meeting and subsequent work session on Thursday night, Kristine Ripson and Wendy Shaw thanked Youngstown Chief of Police Mike Schuey and officer John Emmons for Emmons's quick response to a medical emergency and saving the life of Ripson's cousin.

Over the hills, around the bend and behind the sweeping drives lies a hidden gem recently discovered by a handful of Lewiston residents. Vista North is a Ridge Road subdivision offering spacious lots for those with big imagination.

One of the most acclaimed records in modern music history was performed Wednesday at Artpark. Original Beach Boys members Brian Wilson and Al Jardine teamed with a talented backing band (including longtime bandmate Blondie Chaplin, and Jardine's son, Matt) to present "Pet Sounds."

On Saturday, Aug. 17, Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course in Lewiston will host the sixth annual Lt. David W. Kinney Memorial Charity Tournament. The day includes events open to the public, such as basket raffles, 50/50 splits, and a dinner.

The Western New York Land Conservancy is hosting a self-guided walk through the Stella Niagara Preserve from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, elected and business leaders recently celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony with member Bin There Dump That, a new, residential-friendly Dumpster outfit at 130 S. Fifth St., Lewiston. The company serves Niagara County and Northern Buffalo. It is online at https://wny.bintheredumpthatusa.com/home.

The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce celebrated a ribbon-cutting Monday with SJC Handmade. The new Village of Lewiston art gallery features acrylic fluid paintings on canvas, wood panels and more for sale by artist Stephanie Casale.

Republican Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello announced five libraries in his district will receive major construction and renovation funding as part of a $34 million capital funding appropriation in the 2018-19 state budget.

Congressman Brian Higgins is looking for the community's help in identifying the family of the late Corp. Henry Mazurkiewicz, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

The Niagara County Legislature on Tuesday voted unanimously in favor of a resolution that will authorize a state lawsuit challenging the "Green Light" law.

In the Artpark & Company season guidebook, Executive Director Sonia Kozlova Clark writes, "In our visioning process (speaking of a new master plan), we are inspired by the idea that ARTPARK = ART + NATURE + CULTURE for all." On Sunday afternoon, that idea became reality.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, Lower Niagara Moose Lodge No. 584 proudly presented "Moose's Mission," a benefit for Lewiston's all-inclusive playground project set to be built in Marilyn Toohey Park.

Youngstown hosted its first Village Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3. The Falkner Park event was co-founded by Ray Barry of Barry Entertainment and offered a dozen bands, plus craft vendors, food, drinks and games.

Mount St. Mary's Hospital announced new leadership appointments in its perioperative services department.

The Lewiston Art Festival canvas will stretch across Center Street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11. This prestigious showcase will feature the work of more than 175 professional and student artists from 13 states - as far away as Florida and Texas, and one-third participating for the first time.

With a rested Brian Wilson ready to resume touring, Lewiston is eagerly anticipating a Beach Boys-inspired concert at Artpark.

Fran Flanagan, a 20-year resident of Lewiston and graduate of Lewiston Porter High School, has announced his candidacy for Lewiston Town Board.

Sarah McLachlan returned to Artpark to perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. The musical icon, Lilith Fair creator and Sarah McLachlan School of Music founder was, per usual, vocally dynamic, making for a memorable occasion. As she did in 2014, McLachlan shared stories, explained song origins and thanked fans for supporting her now 31-year career.

Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara Foundation's "Celebrity Bartending - Battle of the Businesses" event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Brickyard Brewing Company, 432 Center St., Lewiston. The event will benefit the more than 600 individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities supported by Intandem, formerly Opportunities Unlimited of Niagara.

VFW Downriver Post No. 7487 will sell old-fashioned pizza and deep-friend cheesecake by Favorites Pizzeria at the Lewiston Art Festival. All proceeds will help benefit the new "Circle of Honor," which will be dedicated to those who have served the country. The monument is set to be built in Academy Park, on the corner of Center Street and Portage Road.