NYPA Press Release
Wildlife Festival Returns To Niagara Power Vista Sept.24-25
News Published:09/12/2022
For Release: 09/12/22
Contact: Teresa Martinez| Teresa.martinez@nypa.gov| (716) 286-6652
New York Power Authority’s Annual Event Includes Wildlife Shows, STEM Tent, Family Activities, Interactive Exhibits and Free Shuttle Rides from Niagara Falls
Wildlife shows, conservation and science activities, and a glimpse of Tuscarora culture top the program at the New York Power Authority’s Wildlife Festival Sept. 24-25. The free family festival, co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs (NCFCC), will run both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Popular returning shows include:
• Jeff Musial and Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics
• Hawk Creek Wildlife Center
• Skyhunters Birds of Prey
• AWARE rehabilitation center
• Police K-9 demonstrations by Lewiston police
The festival offers popular NCFCC activities such as a fishing pond, archery, conservation activities, and much more.
This year will feature a sidewalk chalk art contest focused on wildlife, pollination and sustainability on the lower level observation deck. Science prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories. Interested solo or team contestants can register by emailing npvista@nypa.gov or calling (716) 286-6661. Limited squares will be available.
Enjoy a stellar experience at the mobile planetarium provided by the Lockport Challenger Center, which will offer views of the planets, their moons and dwarf planets. Visitors can watch stars appear and move realistically to simulate a real sky. Another astronomy exhibit will promote the 2024 solar eclipse, which is expected to have primary viewing sites in the Buffalo-Niagara region.
Carmen Presti and the Primate Sanctuary will return as an exhibitor with primate visitors. Science and sustainability activities will be in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) tent. Exhibitors include NYPA, WNY STEM, Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Preserve, Circuit Stompers robotics club, the NJ Outdoor Club with insects and microscopes, and other hands-on activities with Niagara University.
The Tuscarora Tent will feature the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers, crafts and activities to highlight Tuscarora culture, including corn husk dolls, beading, weaving and food tastings. Other activities include face painting, a rock-climbing wall (12 to 3 p.m. both days), chainsaw art, and more.
A variety of conservation exhibitors include the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation divisions, NYS Parks Interpretive Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, sportsmen clubs, boy and girl scouts, and many more.
Parents can ask for a Lost Child wrist band at the information tents or the reception desk inside the Power Vista.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the many exciting, interactive exhibits inside the Power Vista designed for inquisitive minds of all ages.
• Understand electricity through the eyes of pioneers Nikolai Tesla and Thomas Edison as well as modern-day scientists.
• Take a virtual roller coaster ride in the Power Up! 4D simulator.
• See what it takes to operate a power plant. A simulated challenge provides the chance to operate a plant and control the state’s transmission network.
• Watch a hair-raising experience during scheduled demonstrations of the Van de Graaff generator.
Enjoy free rides on the Discover Niagara Shuttle to area attractions, including the Lewiston Harvest Festival. For more information on the Discover Niagara Shuttle and its route, visit www.discoverniagarashuttle.com
The Power Vista is located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston. Parking is free and will be available in the Power Vista parking lot and adjacent lots at Niagara University.
For more information on the festival or to register for a Wildlife Festival contest, call (716)286-6652 or (866) NYPA-FUN, email npvista@nypa.gov or visit www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.
About the Niagara Power Vista
The Niagara Power Vista is a free hands-on science playground at the Niagara Power Project with more than 50 state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. Operated by the New York Power Authority, the visitor center is designed for inquisitive minds of all ages with special emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) concepts and careers. Visitors can experience a virtual rollercoaster, build a dam, operate a power plant, run the state grid, watch digital portraits of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison debate the benefits of alternating and direct current, and enjoy 350-foot-high views from an observation deck above the Niagara River. The Power Vista is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding some holidays, with free parking. It is located at 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104) in Lewiston. For more information, call (716) 286-6661 or visit www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.
Contact: Teresa Martinez| Teresa.martinez@nypa.gov| (716) 286-6652
New York Power Authority’s Annual Event Includes Wildlife Shows, STEM Tent, Family Activities, Interactive Exhibits and Free Shuttle Rides from Niagara Falls
Wildlife shows, conservation and science activities, and a glimpse of Tuscarora culture top the program at the New York Power Authority’s Wildlife Festival Sept. 24-25. The free family festival, co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs (NCFCC), will run both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.
Popular returning shows include:
• Jeff Musial and Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics
• Hawk Creek Wildlife Center
• Skyhunters Birds of Prey
• AWARE rehabilitation center
• Police K-9 demonstrations by Lewiston police
The festival offers popular NCFCC activities such as a fishing pond, archery, conservation activities, and much more.
This year will feature a sidewalk chalk art contest focused on wildlife, pollination and sustainability on the lower level observation deck. Science prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories. Interested solo or team contestants can register by emailing npvista@nypa.gov or calling (716) 286-6661. Limited squares will be available.
Enjoy a stellar experience at the mobile planetarium provided by the Lockport Challenger Center, which will offer views of the planets, their moons and dwarf planets. Visitors can watch stars appear and move realistically to simulate a real sky. Another astronomy exhibit will promote the 2024 solar eclipse, which is expected to have primary viewing sites in the Buffalo-Niagara region.
Carmen Presti and the Primate Sanctuary will return as an exhibitor with primate visitors. Science and sustainability activities will be in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) tent. Exhibitors include NYPA, WNY STEM, Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Preserve, Circuit Stompers robotics club, the NJ Outdoor Club with insects and microscopes, and other hands-on activities with Niagara University.
The Tuscarora Tent will feature the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers, crafts and activities to highlight Tuscarora culture, including corn husk dolls, beading, weaving and food tastings. Other activities include face painting, a rock-climbing wall (12 to 3 p.m. both days), chainsaw art, and more.
A variety of conservation exhibitors include the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation divisions, NYS Parks Interpretive Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, sportsmen clubs, boy and girl scouts, and many more.
Parents can ask for a Lost Child wrist band at the information tents or the reception desk inside the Power Vista.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the many exciting, interactive exhibits inside the Power Vista designed for inquisitive minds of all ages.
• Understand electricity through the eyes of pioneers Nikolai Tesla and Thomas Edison as well as modern-day scientists.
• Take a virtual roller coaster ride in the Power Up! 4D simulator.
• See what it takes to operate a power plant. A simulated challenge provides the chance to operate a plant and control the state’s transmission network.
• Watch a hair-raising experience during scheduled demonstrations of the Van de Graaff generator.
Enjoy free rides on the Discover Niagara Shuttle to area attractions, including the Lewiston Harvest Festival. For more information on the Discover Niagara Shuttle and its route, visit www.discoverniagarashuttle.com
The Power Vista is located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston. Parking is free and will be available in the Power Vista parking lot and adjacent lots at Niagara University.
For more information on the festival or to register for a Wildlife Festival contest, call (716)286-6652 or (866) NYPA-FUN, email npvista@nypa.gov or visit www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.
About the Niagara Power Vista
The Niagara Power Vista is a free hands-on science playground at the Niagara Power Project with more than 50 state-of-the-art interactive exhibits. Operated by the New York Power Authority, the visitor center is designed for inquisitive minds of all ages with special emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) concepts and careers. Visitors can experience a virtual rollercoaster, build a dam, operate a power plant, run the state grid, watch digital portraits of Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison debate the benefits of alternating and direct current, and enjoy 350-foot-high views from an observation deck above the Niagara River. The Power Vista is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, excluding some holidays, with free parking. It is located at 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104) in Lewiston. For more information, call (716) 286-6661 or visit www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.