Lewiston Garden Club to present annual GardenFest, featuring 90 vendors, garden walk

Press Release 

“Welcome Summer” at the annual Lewiston GardenFest, set for Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. Presented by the Lewiston Garden Club, the festival includes approximately 90 vendors selling flowers, plants, and handcrafted garden essentials, along with a garden walk, speakers, a container garden contest, and more throughout the weekend.

GardenFest runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Center Street.

“Whether you are looking for inspiration to enhance your own garden or easy ideas to spruce up your outdoor spaces, there’s something for everyone to explore at Lewiston GardenFest this year,” said Mary Ann Yates, chair of Lewiston GardenFest. “We encourage you to join us in welcoming summer by picking up something new from one of our vendors, strolling through the featured private gardens, or being a part of the event by creating your own container garden for display and voting throughout the weekend.”

Festival guests can visit several private gardens featured on a free garden walk throughout the weekend. The gardens vary in size and style, and are located both within walking distance, and a short drive from Center Street. Maps highlighting the featured gardens can be picked up at one of the hospitality booths during the festival.

GardenFest file photo.

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Want to put your green thumb to the test? Gardeners of all ages and experience levels can participate in the annual container garden contest. Prepare your arrangement in a traditional container or think outside the planter. Bring your container entry and a stand for display to Hennepin Park by 9 a.m. June 21.

Throughout the weekend, festival guests can vote for their favorite container garden. Prizes will be awarded to those containers that receive the most votes.

Three speakers, all recently featured on the PBS program “Now We’re Gardening Live!” are scheduled throughout the weekend in front of the Frontier House to share a variety of garden tips. At 11 a.m. Saturday, join Chris Lavocat, part owner and president of operations at Lavocat’s Family Greenhouse & Nursery, to learn more about “What’s Growing On? Trends and Top Questions in Today’s Gardening World.” At 1 p.m., Meredith Preve, retail and event manager and a tropical plant specialist at Lavocat’s, will discuss “Conservation Gardening: How to Nurture Nature Like a Pro!” On Sunday at 1 p.m., Nora Saintz, owner of Gardenette and a certified nursery and landscape professional, will share tips for “Using Plants to Solve Problems (and Save Relationships!)”

All speaker attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a gift certificate for one of three full-size Big Yellow Bags of premium garden soil generously provided by Lakeside Sod Supply Co. One winner will be selected at the end of each presentation.

Master gardeners from Cornell Cooperative Extension will be available in Hennepin Park to answer gardening questions and provide free soil sample analysis. In addition, the youngest gardeners can create decorations for their own gardens with make-and-take fun while supplies last.

Lewiston Council on the Arts is also enhancing Lewiston GardenFest by hosting “Porchfest Unplugged” from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. It will feature live music on Lewiston’s porches.

Lewiston GardenFest is free to attend and is sponsored by the Village of Lewiston, Town of Lewiston, DiMino’s Lewiston Tops, Lakeside Sod Supply Co., Modern Corporation, Niagara County Community Partnership, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, Northwest Bank, Wegmans and various local businesses.

Proceeds from Lewiston GardenFest go toward the Lewiston Garden Club’s beautification efforts and scholarships for local youth. For more information, visit lewistongardenfest.com.

GardenFest 2025 sponsors

At the Lewiston Museum, local officials. From left: Judy Talarico, Garden Fest Chairperson Mary Ann Yates, Peggy Barber, Village of Lewiston Mayor Anne Welch, Town of Lewiston Supervisor Steve Broderick, Niagara County 1st District Legislator Irene Myers, Barbara Carter and Robin Nichols. (Photo courtesy of the Lewiston Garden Club)

With the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. From left: Judy Talarico, Barbara Carter, Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Chairperson Kathleen Neville, John Mahar, Stephanie DaFoe, Peggy Barber and Mary Ann Yates. (Photo courtesy of the Lewiston Garden Club)

With Modern Corporation. From left: Robin Nichols, Mary Ann Yates, Mike Bouchard, Judy Talarico, Jennifer Aiple, Barbara Carter and Peggy Barber. (Photo courtesy of the Lewiston Garden Club)

Northwest Bank, the rock painting sponsor. From left: Robin Nichols, Mary Ann Yates, Judy Talarico, Northwest Bank AVP Manager Jackie Nightingale, Financial Center banker Lucas Diez, Peggy Barber and Barbara Carter.

Wegmans, the container garden sponsor. From left: Lewiston Garden Club members Kay Kalick, Judy Talarico, Mary Ann Yates, Barbara Carter and Peggy Barber with Wegmans Store Manager Jennifer and Wegmans staff members Lisa, Lauren, Rachel and Samantha. (Photo courtesy of the Lewiston Garden Club)

DiMino’s Lewiston Tops, the open gardens sponsor. From left: Robin Nichols, Peggy Barber, Barbara Carter, Anthony DiMino, Mary Ann Yates and Judy Talarico. (Photo courtesy of the Lewiston Garden Club)