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Memorial, NACC to hold Saturday summer fun doubleheader

The emphasis will be on holistic health, community gardening and good old-fashioned fun Saturday (July 21, 2012) when Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center host summer festivals at two downtown locations.

• Historic Schoellkopf Park on Pine Avenue at Portage Road in downtown Niagara Falls will be transformed into a vibrant showcase of the visual, performing and gardening arts with activities for all ages at the Fourth Annual Arts in the Park celebration.

• A few blocks away, at Legends Park on 11th Street at Whitney Avenue, Memorial will join the City of Niagara Falls and the Main Street Business & Professional Association to host recording artists Lynn Washington‐Wright, Kathy Bowman, Denise Hurst and a host of local performers at the Sixth Annual Good News Gospel Festival and Health Fair.

Both events will begin at noon.

“While Niagara Falls Memorial is known for providing quality medical care, we have a deep appreciation for how important emotional and spiritual health are to overall wellness,” said Ann Marie Tucker, Memorial’s vice president for community relations. “We are excited to once again partner with our neighbors at the NACC to bring this celebration of city life to the community.”

Arts in the Park will be held from noon to 8 p.m. and feature performances and interactive exhibits including:

• A 1:30 p.m. presentation on “Herbs and Container Gardens’” by Cornell Cooperative Extension Educator John Farfaglia
• A 2:30 p.m. performance by storyteller/musician Lorna MacDonald Czarnota
• A 3:30 p.m. Tai Chi demonstration by Ray Robertson
• A 4 p.m. performance of Washington Irving’s timeless “Rip van Winkle”
• A two–hour show by the Carl Filbert Band beginning at 6 p.m.

For the kids, Arts in the Park will feature a chalk walk, arts and crafts, balloon art, petting zoo, face painting and appearances by Sesame Street’s Elmo and The Cat in the Hat.

A Native American village with stone carving and woodburning demonstrations and a wampum belt exhibit is planned. A Culinary Arts Alley featuring vendors such as RJ & Mary’s veggies,
tacos and lemonade, Rasheena Jones’ barbecue and the Catering Crew from Carolyn’s House will provide local cuisine.

A basket auction, open air (plein air) painting by Tim and Barb Maloney, a wellness tent and exhibits by Madame Ink, Rosey’s Aprons, Artisans Edge, Arts to be Enjoyed by Polly King, Grow-Grow-Grow: The Vacant Lot Initiative, Hen’s Honey Bee Farm and many others are also planned.

The Niagara Gazette and Niagara Falls Redevelopment, LLC, join the Niagara Arts & Cultural Center and Memorial Medical Center as major sponsors for Arts in the Park.
 
• The Good News Gospel Festival and Health Fair will celebrate its sixth anniversary from noon to 6 p.m. in Legends Park behind the YMCA.  Joining Atlanta’s Lynn Washington-Wright on stage will be Ms. Jackie Jefferson, the Mt. Zion Male Chorus, Rochester New Gospel Times, Voices of Tomorrow, Marsha McWilson, Mary Witherspoon, Tim Wilson & Friends, Harambee Cultural Dance, Brittani McDowell, Tomorrow Allen and other gospel performers. Health and wellness information will be available throughout the afternoon and health screenings will be offered from noon to 3 p.m. 

The Good News Gospel Festival and Health Fair is sponsored by the City of Niagara Falls, Main Street Business & Professional Association and Memorial Medical Center. 

Both events are free and the public is invited.  For information about Arts in the Park, contact the Memorial Medical Center Foundation at 278-4604 or the NACC at 282-7530.  To learn more about the Good News Gospel Festival and Health Fair, call Memorial’s Community Outreach Department at 285-2382.