Niagara Falls, NY – It has been said that in the early 1800’s, one of the favorite places in the Village of Lewiston was Hustler’s Tavern. It was so popular that in 1813, when Lewiston was burned by British forces in retaliation for the U.S. attack on Niagara-On-The-Lake, Hustler’s Tavern was the only building that was spared.

The story continues to say that around that time, the American troops brought Catherine Hustler, the tavern-keeper, several roosters and hens taken in their raid on the British. They asked her to roast them for a victory dinner. As she plucked the birds, she placed the tail feathers in mugs and glasses on the bar. Legend has it that when Catherine served the soldiers, she used a cock’s tail feather to stir a special drink that she had created, and the name was born.

In celebration of Catherine’s creation, the Lewiston Cocktail Festival was created in 2013. The sold out event attracted hundreds of patrons to come together and “Toast the Town”! This year, the event has grown to two cover days and will take place on March 7 & 8 starting at 5pm in the Village of Lewiston.

More than ten restaurants, bars and retailers will join together to encourage patrons to “Quench their thirst for History” at the 2nd Annual “Lewiston Cocktail Festival”.

The event, put on by Sparkle! Marketing & Events and Sponsored by Southern Wine & Spirits and Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare, will give participants an opportunity to venture from business to business, sampling signature alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and small bites while learning about the history of how the famous concoction was invented in Lewiston. One of the Lewiston Council on the Arts Marble Orchard players will portray Catherine Hustler, the inventor of the infamous drink. She, along with her brood of friends, will be amongst those patrons stopping by various locations and telling their stories.

Tickets for the event can be purchased in advance for $25 at the following locations: the Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, Angel to Apple Clothing Boutique, & The Village Bake Shoppe or online at www.lewistoncocktailfestival.com.

During the festival, the tickets will be redeemable for a “Passport” which allows for samplings at the following locations: Water Street Landing, Brickyard Pub & BBQ, The Village Bake Shoppe, Town Hall Restaurant, Casa Antica, Hops & Vines, The Stone House, Lewiston Events Center, Angel to Apple Clothing Boutique, Tin Pan Alley, and de la Casa Restaurant. Ticket holders will also have an opportunity to vote during the festival for their favorite “Absolut Lewiston Cocktail”.

Responsible drinking is encouraged, and special accommodation rates are available that evening at both the Barton Hill Hotel and Piper’s Village Inn.

For more information, please visit www.lewistoncocktailfestival.com