It’s again time for smelt dipping in Lewiston and again this year, smelt lovers can enjoy two days instead of one. The Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce, Village of Lewiston and Silo Restaurant, in cooperation with the Niagara River Anglers will celebrate one of the region’s most famous natural resources when they host the Smelt Festival beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at the foot of Center Street along the Lewiston waterfront. The festival will pick up again at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Silo Restaurant and Water Street Landing.
“Last year’s change to a two day event was a great success and this year free smelt will again be available both Friday and Saturday night at the waterfront,” said village Mayor Richard Soluri.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation deemed Lewiston as one of the best places in the country for smelt dipping. Smelt, which feature a distinctive cucumber fragrance when plucked from the water, are one of the few fish that sportsmen are allowed to net.
On Friday, the Niagara River Anglers will batter and fry up 300 hundred pounds of free smelt. On Saturday night, the Silo Restaurant will cook up an additional 200 pounds of free smelt. Both evenings there will be chowder, beer and a variety of picnic foods for sale.
Smelt-tasters can enjoy entertainment from Carl Filbert on Friday and Bar Zero Nerve Response on Saturday night. All festivities at Waterfront Park at Lewiston Landing, located at the foot of Center Street will be geared toward an adult audience. Other Smelt Festival sponsors include Falls Tent and Awning and Whirlpool Jet Boats.
“Lewiston has been offering some of the best smelt-dipping for more than 26 years,” said Paul Jackson, president of the Niagara River Anglers. “While many local residents already know about the great fishing opportunities in the lower Niagara River, this event allows us to spread the word and invite others to sample some of our natural resources.”
Lewiston restaurants will also be busy preparing their own culinary variation of smelt over the weekend. Participating restaurants, which can be identified by a decorative fish flag outside their door, include:
• Apple Granny Restaurantat 433 Center St.
• The Brickyard Restaurant at 432 Center St.
• Carmelo’s Ristorante at 425 Center St.
• Casa Antica Restaurant at 490 Center St.
• The Silo Restaurant at 115 N. Water St.
• The Steelhead at 453 Center St.
• Syros Restaurant at 869 Cayuga St.
• Tin Pan Alley at 775 Cayuga St.
• Water Street Landing at115 S. Water St.
• Lewiston Village Pub at 840 Center St.
Lewiston
Related Photos
-
Last year, Niagara River Anglers volunteers JoJo Allan, left, and Larry Risio get the task of preparing smelt for the annual Lewiston Smelt Festival held Friday evening at the foot of Center Street. Area restaurants along the Village’s main street will offer their own culinary version of smelt Friday and Saturday. Fish flags will identify participating restaurants.
LEWISTON: Smelt Fest returns this weekend
- Lewiston
-
-
Teacher likes this Apple at Lew-Port
Keeping up with technology is a problem almost everywhere. But in the classroom, a deficiency can cripple children as they move through their formative years into post-high school.
-
Drama continues for Lewiston recreation center
It appears the Village of Lewiston’s plan to put a referendum on the ballot concerning the construction of a potential recreation complex will not happen. At least not as village administrators planned.
-
Black History Month celebrated at Mount St. Mary's
February is Black History Month, and the administration at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital took time Thursday to honor some of its employees of color and their contributions.
-
Lewiston highway department saving green
If a Town of Lewiston Highway Department truck drives by, chances are it has been worked on by the in-house mechanics. That’s a given, considering the financial state of the town, the state and the nation. They just can’t afford to send them elsewhere.
-
Strong season leads to more town funds
Thanks to two unexpected sources, the Town of Lewiston has more money in its coffers.
-
Lewiston patrol car involved in crash
A Lewiston Police officer was not seriously hurt after his patrol car was struck by another vehicle as he was on his way to answer an alarm call.
-
Lewiston looking to add time to Joseph Davis lease
With greenway money potentially on the way for possible projects, members of the Joseph Davis State Park Local Development Corp. are ready to move forward with phase one of capital improvements.
-
‘Burning’ questions about Lewiston author's new book
Lewiston resident and accomplished author Norah Perez had a story floating around in the deep recesses of her mind. She just needed someone to take a gamble and allow her to publish it.
-
Group looking at numerous LOOW clean up options
The Lake Ontario Ordnance Works Restoration Advisory Board is looking at which clean up options are valid and which are impossible or illegal among seven possibilities given by the Army Corps of Engineers concerning the future of the Niagara Falls Storage Site remediation.
-
New chance for former Center Street establishment
The First & Last Chance Saloon could be back in business along Center Street.
- More Lewiston Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
