Celebration of all that’s great about Lewiston is June 25 at McGraw Park

LEWISTON — An event celebrating the city will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 25,at Mike McGraw Park, 200 Bartlett St.
The party has been planned by the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, and will highlight the best of Lewiston through art, history, business input, career opportunities, recreational opportunities, and more. LYAC’s goal is to help educate attendees about what Lewiston has to offer.
Hannah Arsenault, LYAC member, said, “This event involves youth and adults in what we do here. Sometimes people get in the habit of going to or being involved with the same things over & over, but this event can show what other things are available. They may be surprised as to what else they might like in Lewiston.”
Leading up to the event, the LYAC earlier this month launched a go-at-your-own-pace Lewiston-themed scavenger hunt. LYAC member Cadence Nadeau developed the Google-based hunt submission process, and LYAC members came up with 17 clues, which are posted at lewistonmaine.gov/lewscavenger. Visits to the locations and photos must be uploaded and submitted. There will be a drawing at the June 25 party. Hunt participants may be eligible to win a $100 Mother India gift card, a $50 Forage gift card, or a $50 Italian Bakery gift card.
Drummer Damon DeWitt, a former LYAC member, will kick off the JUne 25 celebration, followed by a packed schedule of offerings for all ages. The day’s schedule can be viewed at lewistonmaine.gov/lyac. Some events have specific time slots, while others are on site all afternoon.
Mayor Carl L. Sheline, who will be on hand for a Meet the Mayor event from 2 to 2:30 p.m. “I am so pleased that the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council has put this event together to showcase various aspects of what the city of Lewiston has to offer,” Sheline said. “It’s also inspiring that these young people take pride in their city and want others to know that it’s a vibrant place with many opportunities.”
City Council Liaison to LYAC Linda Scott said, “The future of Lewiston are these bright, creative students who have shown on a daily basis their passion and commitment to celebrate our community and make it better place for all that live here. I couldn’t be more proud to stand beside them and promote all they do.”
Other offerings will include musical entertainment by local performer Josie French; the Lewiston High School Jazz Band; Somali and Wabanaki history presentations; a “Why Do I Do Business in Lewiston?” panel discussion and Q & A featuring businesses Geiger, Forage, and Mother India; an iconic Lewiston image “paint night” type activity provided on a first-come, first-served basis by Melanie Therrien of Wicked Illustrations; and the Lewiston Public Library will lead an interactive activity for children to design a booklet about Lewiston for later display. The St. Mary’s Nutrition Center Good Food Mobile Bus and a mini Farmer’s Market will also be at the event.
Lewiston firefighters, with Engine 7, will be on site to meet with children and provide educational handouts. A yoga class will be held by The Sanctuary, Lewiston, at 1:30 p.m. and interested participants are encouraged to bring a mat, towel, blanket, or use the grass, The Lewiston Career Center will be on site from noon to 5 p.m., providing job and career information, and attendees can learn more about Veterans Memorial Park from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
An “I Love Lewiston,” selfie backdrop will be on site with photo props for attendees to have some fun “repping Lewiston,” and a hashtag will be provided for photo distribution. In addition, an enlarged version of Lewiston’s honeycomb logo will be on site for “What Do You Love About Lewiston” posts by attendees.
Lewiston-themed face painting, compliments of LHS art teacher Deanna Ehrhardt, will be available from 1 to 4 p.m., and Lewiston High School Assistant Principal Doug Dumont and “teachers he can round up” will be the focus of a 1 to 4 p.m. dunk tank, compliments of Recovery Connections of Maine.
LYAC member Brea Mathieu believes the event will bring people together after a challenging two years. “It will be good to show what happens here and to show that unity exists in Lewiston,” Mathieu said.
Information will also be on hand about the city, The LA Metro Chamber of Commerce, Bates College and the Gendron Franco Center, to include the area’s updated Explore & Discover Guide.
The event will conclude with LYAC’s announcement of a 10-year sponsor for the field at Mike McGraw Park. LYAC has selected a field sponsor through a sponsorship application submitted by a local entity, and the sponsor’s name, as well as the name of the field will be announced/unveiled.
LYAC’s Keira Potvin notes that at the end of July, 10 graduating seniors will conclude their tenure on the youth council. “This is our last hurrah, and we really want to leave our mark on Lewison,” Potvin said.
“It has been very exciting to watch LYAC members plan this event,” said Dottie Perham-Whittier, city community relations coordinator and LYAC advisor.”The creativity and energy at meetings is uplifting, and their teamwork is impressive. They clearly set the bar high as positive ambassadors for the city of Lewiston.”

PHOTO: All that’s great about Lewiston will be celebrated in a June 25 party at Mike McGraw Park. (Maureen Milliken photo)