LEWISTON: Small fish, big party

By Dan Miner<br><a href="mailto:minerd@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Dan</a>
Niagara Gazette

April 22, 2008 11:15 pm

— The Village of Lewiston is plunging into its busy spring, summer and fall event schedule with a big party dedicated to a small fish.
The Smelt Festival, which is officially in its eighth year but has been growing as a community event for decades, begins at 6 p.m. on both May 2 and 3 and takes place at the foot of Center Street along the Niagara River waterfront.
“It’s the festival in Lewiston that marks spring and I love it because it brings everybody right to the waterfront,” said Alan Hastings, owner of The Silo restaurant, a co-sponsor of this year’s event. On Tuesday, a truck delivered 650 pounds of smelt to The Silo for the event.
Free smelt — a small fish served generally as a finger food — will be available both nights, along with chowder, beer and a variety of picnic foods. There will be live entertainment at the waterfront and a host of Water, Center and Cayuga street restaurants will serve specialty smelt dishes over the weekend.
“Down at the waterfront there’s at least a couple thousand people,” said Sandra Hays-Mies, president of the Lower Niagara River Region Chamber of Commerce. “Throughout the village it’s very crowded and everyone (in the restaurants) is at capacity, which puts everyone in a festival and party mood.”
The event began more than 20 years ago, when members of the Niagara River Anglers Association began meeting at the docks.
“They always had a big frying pan going and would cook a few and have a couple brews,” said Paul Jackson, president of the Anglers Association, another co-sponsor of the event. “The next thing you know, other people walking down there got interested and wanted to see what was going on. The next thing you know it’s growing and there’s more people every year, we’re cooking more smelt and we’ve got a 50/50 going.”
As the event has grown, anglers have had to buy smelt commercially to cover the demand. The event is a fundraiser for the anglers, who ask for donations from attendees.
According to Bill Hilts Jr., Niagara County sportfishing coordinator, the event has an environmental aspect as well.
“From the standpoint of smelting, there is a long tradition in Lewiston,” Hilts said “And the creation of this festival has helped create a better awareness for the natural resources we have.”

IF YOU GO
• WHAT: Smelt Festival
• WHEN: Begins 6 p.m. on May 2 and 3
• WHERE: Village of Lewiston waterfront