NYPA Press Release
Annual Wildlife Festival Comes to Niagara Power Vista Sept. 28-29
34th Annual Event by New York Power Authority includes Wildlife Shows, STEM Tent, Family Activities, Interactive Exhibits and Free Rides from Niagara Falls to Lewiston on the Discover Niagara Shuttle
For Immediate Release: 09/18/19
Contact: Teresa Martinez | Teresa.martinez@nypa.gov | 716-286-6652
Wildlife shows, conservation and science activities, and a glimpse of Tuscarora culture top the list of activities coming to the New York Power Authority’s (NYPA) 34th annual Wildlife Festival Sept. 28-29 at the Niagara Power Vista visitor center in Lewiston.
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.
The festival features popular NCFCC activities including a fishing pond, archery, crossbow (age specific), and a shooting trailer.
Popular returning shows include:
- Jeff Musial and Nickel City Reptiles and Exotics
- Carmen Presti and the Primate Sanctuary
- Hawk Creek Wildlife Center
- Skyhunters Birds of Prey
- AWARE rehabilitation center
- Buffalo Zoomobile
- Police K-9 demonstrations by Niagara County Sheriff’s Department and Lewiston Police
- Mike Randall & Friends
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, and Niagara University, which will display creepy and crawly insects and offer other hands-on activities.
The Tuscarora Tent returns featuring the Niagara River Iroquois Dancers, crafts and activities such as corn husk dolls, beading, weaving and food tastings to highlight Tuscarora culture.
Youngsters can also enjoy face painting, a rock climbing wall (12 to 3 p.m. both days), chainsaw art, free safety identifications by the Erie County Sheriff’s Department (check in the safety tent for specific hours) 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, and clubs such as sportsmen’s, trappers and boy and girl scouts.
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 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 the Lewiston Harvest Festival, Gorge Discovery Center and other area attractions. For more information, 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, call (716)286-6661 or (866) NYPA-FUN, email npvista@nypa.gov or visit www.nypa.gov/niagarapowervista.
About NYPA:
NYPA is the nation's largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.