LEWISTON — Shanna Rogers got tired of hearing about “Dirty Lew” and decided to do something about it.

She brought together the Neighborhood Housing League, The Visible Community and the Maine League of Young Voters to host a family-friendly block party in Kennedy Park on Saturday afternoon.

“There are lots of people who believe in our community and take pride in it, so I decided to create this ‘Livin in the Lew, Proud to be in the Lew’ event,” Rogers said Saturday at the park where the groups offered music, games, free food and 21 nonprofit booths.

“It’s a wonderful thing,” she said. “Just look, the line for food is a half-mile long and everyone still has smiles on their faces.” 

Half-way through the event, Zumba instructor Cynthia Nicholas and several dozen other dancers broke into a dance in the middle of the park. While some onlookers only smiled and tapped their feet to the music, many joined in the dancing, even if they were out of step. 

Several members of the Lewiston Police Department showed up in uniform on their time off and the Lewiston Fire Department brought a truck to display. With near-perfect weather, the afternoon brought smiles to the numerous face-painted children running and playing in the park.