Published: April 27, 2009 12:01 am      

LEWISTON: Smelt Fest returns this weekend

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.