“Lewiston never smelt so good” during the annual Lewiston Smelt Festival. In a partnership amongst several organizations and businesses, the Annual Smelt Festival will continue on May 1st at a new location on the Lewiston Waterfront. With two new sponsorships from Anthony DiMino and DiMino’s Tops Markets, along with John Kinney and Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, a new location has been secured. The festival will take place at the Jet Boat parking lot in front of Water Street Landing. The Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce and Village of Lewiston, , in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers will celebrate one of the region’s most famous natural resources as they host the Lewiston Smelt Festival. The festival takes place on Friday, May 1st beginning at 5:00 p.m., at the corner of Center Street and Water Street next to the Lewiston Waterfront. The Niagara River Anglers and Niagara River Region Chamber staff, board of directors and local dignitaries will serve free Smelt samples on Friday night until they run out.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation deemed Lewiston as one of the best places in the country for smelt dipping. Smelt are one of the few fish that sportsmen are allowed to net.
Beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, the Niagara River Anglers will batter and fry smelt, given out as free samples until it runs out. The smelt samples are free however donations are suggested. The donations collected will go towards the Niagara River Angler’s community program. Waste Management, Inc. also provides additional funding for the Anglers to purchase the smelt. Additional food and beverage will be available for purchase from Water Street Landing.
Lewiston restaurants will also be busy preparing their own culinary variation of smelt over the weekend. Participating restaurants can be identified by a decorative fish flag outside their door. For additional information, contact the Chamber office at 754-9500 or online at www.NiagaraRiverRegion.com
“We are happy to once again organize this annual festival for the Niagara River Anglers and the Village of Lewiston. This festival brings in many people to the Village of Lewiston, rain or shine, and wouldn’t be made possible without the support of Anthony DiMino, DiMino’s Tops Markets as well as Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours. Festival attendees can expect a new location down at the waterfront, in the parking lot next to “The Bloody Bucket” and Water Street Landing. We encourage attendees to dress for the weather and expect a great time,” according to Jennifer Pauly, NRRCC President.
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