LEWISTON – The Visible Community will host a downtown winter carnival from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. today to bring attention to Maple Street Park, which the city closed last year as part of downtown redevelopment.

Activities will include a snowman contest and a snowball toss with prizes. There will be a special appearance by Thomas Jefferson to give an oration on how the Visible Community is a modern example of grassroots democracy.

Lewiston mayoral candidates and local state legislators are expected to participate.

Speakers, beginning at 2 p.m., will include Visible Community members Barbara Rankins, Ari Rosenberg and Margaret Muhammed.

“The winter carnival celebration is an effort to gather residents and friends as well as our local leaders to enjoy an afternoon of games for kids, snacks and hot chocolate, and fun for all ages,” said Kate Brennan, an organizer for the Maine People’s Alliance.

The Visible Community is a group of downtown residents, business people, community activists and others concerned about the quality of life in downtown Lewiston.