Power Authority's Wildlife Festival Returning to the Newly Renovated Power Vista
Contact Lori Presti 716-286-6661 lori.presti@nypa.gov
September 10, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
LEWISTON—A full day of free family fun featuring live animals, music, interactive workshops and more is in store at the New York Power Authority’s Wildlife Festival on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston. The annual event, which moved to Artpark while the Niagara Power Project’s Visitors’ Center underwent renovation, is coming back to the "Power Vista" as well as the grounds of the project and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event is being held in observation of National Hunting and Fishing Day and is co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs. Representatives from various clubs will be on hand to teach archery, bird banding and trapping, along with interactive workshops on hunting and fishing activities. The Niagara River Angler’s real-life fishing pond where kids can experience the hands-on thrill of "catching the big one!" will be part of the event again this year.
"This year’s event has been expanded to include the use of the newly renovated visitors center as well as the park-like grounds surrounding the "Power Vista," said Lori Presti, festival coordinator. "Another exciting addition to the festival this year is a National Wild Turkey Federation sanctioned turkey calling competition for kids and adults sponsored by the Niagara Falls Thundering Toms." Registration will take place between 10 a.m. and noon. Competition begins promptly at 1 p.m. in the Power Vista. Calling divisions include Poults ages 2-9, junior ages 10-15, amateur, resident and open. Other divisions include friction and owl. For further information on this event contact Wendy Wozniak at 992-2917 who will also serve as master of ceremonies.
This year’s performances include:
"Liberty the Bald Eagle" and other live birds of prey from the Institute for Environmental Learning at 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, 4
Primate friends from Monkey Business at 11:30, 1:30, and 3:30
Glenn Colton family fun musical concert "Snake, Rattle and Crawl" at 11, 1 and 3
The Buffalo Zoomobile will present a live animal display along with touchable "biofacts" and animal artifacts such as turtle shells and animal skins/pelts. Dr. "B" Suited for Science is returning to this year’s festival as he "leaps" from a tadpole to a frog in a presentation on "Wildlife In Your Backyard."
Opportunities to learn more about hawks, reptiles, owls, marine life, and dinosaurs will be presented by Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Reptile Adoption, & Rehabilitation Education, Inc., Wild Spirit Rehabilitation & Release Center, the Aquarium of Niagara, and the Western New York Herpetological Society.
For some "doggoned" fun there will be retriever training demonstrations, and assistance dog information by Chuck Tirrano from Tirrano Kennels, and the Canine Helpers for the Handicapped. Thinking about a new pet? Learn how you can adopt a retired racing dog as a pet from the Buffalo Greyhound Adoption Group and create an animal puppet with representatives from Save-A-Pet. At noon, Niagara County Sheriff Deputy James Hildreth will present "Ciro," a German shepherd and "Max," a golden retriever demonstrating their K-9 abilities of drug detection.
Let your imagination run "wild" by creating a butterfly craft, a pine cone bird feeder, and a "rock" frog with friends from Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, the 4H Clubs of Niagara County, and New York State Parks. You can even design your very own edible art with Sandy Candy, "The Tart Art You Can Eat." Search for whimsical animals at Castellani Art Museum of Niagara University in their exhibition of illuminated manuscripts from the Medieval and Renaissance eras.
The Niagara Frontier Wildlife Habitat Council will exhibit live and dried plants as well as colorful bird cutouts to demonstrate the variety of species that are found in our region.
Join the Western New York Urban Wildlife Society for a "Friends of Wildlife" interactive game where children choose a paper cutout animal and try to place it in a safe environment.
Also on hand will be Niagara Falls Historian and author, Paul Gromosiak, explaining the natural history of the falls from the ice age to the present time.
Get your face painted with Lewiston-Porter Middle School Face Painters and meet the N.U. Purple Eagle mascot. Concession stands by Niagara PAL and Lewiston-Porter Sports Boosters will sell refreshments.
Parking for the event will be available at the Power Vista with additional parking at the Niagara University Dwyer Ice Arena Penrose lot. Shuttle service will be available for the entire day.
Come and enjoy a "wild time" of free family fun! For more information, call 716-286-6661 or visit www.nypa.gov.
DIRECTIONS TO THE WILDLIFE FESTIVAL
FROM BUFFALO: Take 1-190 North, crossing Grand Island and continuing to Exit 25A (Lewiston). Turn left onto Route 265 (Military Road). Turn left onto Route 104 west. Make a left turn at the yellow blinking light, after going under the pedestrian overpass that crosses Route 104. The Power Vista entrance is on the left.
FROM CANADA: Cross the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and take the first right turn after the immigration booths. Follow the signs to Route 104 west. Make a left turn at the yellow blinking light, after going under the pedestrian overpass that crosses Route 104. The Power Vista entrance is on the left.
