07/20/2026
I wanted to give a BIG THANK YOU TO THE VILLAGE OF LEWISTON!!!!
The Mayor was outstanding and supportive throughout this whole process. Shannon and her crew from the clerks office made this as smooth as they could. It was very much appreciated and I am grateful.
I also want to thank everyone they came out to support the Niagara County Italian Festival. Over 15,000 showed up over the 3 days and I’m low balling it.
To all my vendors… you did a fantastic job and you are all welcomed back next year! 80% of all the vendors sold out in the end. They all hit numbers they never hit before and were very pleased with the venue, the family atmosphere, community involvement, as well as over night security and safety throughout the event was paramount.
I want to thank All of the bands and entertainment, the Familia Quadrillia Italian dancers that played this weekend. Especially Franco Vance who was a late add on and did a set of Louie prima that rocked the crowd.
When doing events like this, in the end, you see what needs to be tweaked and what improvements can be made and it’s a learning process as the event gets bigger. For instance, a way bigger tent with more chairs and tables and the ever popular garbage situation. Modern was incredible as well. Instead of 1 30yd dumpster we now know we need two. A few more garbage cans around throughout the festival and maybe hire a crew to empty them throughout. Even though we were up on changing the garbage’s throughout. Every night around 12:30am I did a once around and picked up all the bags and threw them in the dumpster then I come back early around 7 just like I did today and pick up every piece of paper, bottle cap, straw etc… before we opened.
So, seating, garbage is my focus now and as I reflect back I’ll think of more ways to improve on making this better
I want to thank Bob Koshinski for all his work behind the scenes with publicity, press releases, interviews. Etc… also Dave Rulli and Dave from M&M electric and their crews for being there and handling all our electrical needs. I couldn’t have done it without you. Dave Burmaster and the town of Porter for donating the generator, panels and wires, Jerry Puleo for the Use of his golf cart from Tropical heating and cooling.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR MAKING THIS NIAGARA COUNTY ITALIAN FESTIVAL SUCH A SUCCESS!
