NYPA Press Release

Wildlife Festival Takes Place at the Niagara Power Vista Sept. 28

New York Power Authority Event Includes Wildlife Shows, STEM Tent, Family Activities, Interactive Exhibits and Free Rides on the Discover Niagara Shuttle

 Wildlife shows, conservation and science activities, and a glimpse of Tuscarora culture top the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) Wildlife Festival Sept. 28. This will be the 39^th annual event – a collaboration between NYPA and the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs (NCFCC). It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

The festival features the popular NCFCC activities including a fishing pond, archery, conservation activities, and much more. Food prepared by Boy Scout Troop #42 will be available for purchase.

Popular festival shows returning 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 and Niagara County Sheriff’s Department
• Cultural Dance performances by Jordan Smith and the Dancers of the Haudenosaunee.
• Tuscarora cultural food tastings to include corn soup, corn bread, frog legs, duck, quail and quail eggs, strawberry juice and dried venison pemmican – an historic hunter’s trail food.

Other activities and events include shows presented by Lockport Challenger in its mobile planetarium, face painting, balloon art, a rock climbing wall (12 to 3 p.m.), chainsaw art and more.

Carmen Presti and the Primate Sanctuary will be at the festival with their primate friends as a returning exhibitor. Science and sustainability activities will be in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) tent. Exhibitors include NYPA, Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Preserve, robotics clubs, and Niagara University with its creepy and crawly insects and other hands-on activities.

The Tuscarora Tent returns featuring the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers, crafts and activities to highlight Tuscarora culture, including corn husk dolls, beading and painting, and food tastings.

A variety of conservation exhibitors include the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation divisions, NYS Parks Interpretive Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Sportsmen and trappers’ clubs, boy and girl scouts, and many more.

Parents can complete a Lost Child wrist band to assist with child safety efforts during the festival. Just ask for the 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.