New York – September 17, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York Power Authority (NYPA) will continue a long tradition in promoting conservation awareness when it hosts its 30th Wildlife Festival Sept. 26-27, at its Niagara Power Vista visitor center in Lewiston.
This year’s festival, which runs both days from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., is co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs. It offers all the regular favorites as well as many new features to commemorate 30 years of the free festival. They include:
Wildlife Shows: The Primate Sanctuary with Carmen Presti, Nickel City Reptiles with Jeff Musial, Hawk Creek Wildlife Center, Skyhunters Birds of Prey, AWARE animal rehabilitation center, Buffalo Zoomobile, Erie County SPCA Wildlife Department, police K-9 demonstrations and more
Conservation Exhibitors: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation divisions, New York State Parks Interpretive Center, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, clubs to include sportsmen’s, trappers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and many more.
Activities: Shooting trailer, fishing pond, crossbow (age appropriate), archery, crafts, safety identifications, face painting, rock climbing wall, chainsaw art, fishing demonstrations, and more.
New to the festival is a state-sanctioned duck-calling contest sponsored by Ducks Unlimited. There is no fee to enter. Contestants will compete Saturday and Sunday, with the winners from each day competing in a call-off on Sunday. The winner of the final will compete in the 80th annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Arkansas, in November.
Cabela’s joins the lineup offering several interactive activities, demonstrations. It will also sponsor an Outerwear Fashion Show with Niagara University Outdoor Club members serving as models.
Fishing University, the “how-to” fishing program on The Outdoor Channel, will tape a segment on Sept. 27. The show will also announce the winner of the Wildlife Festival’s Kids Fishing Derby. Children up to 15 years old can enter the free contest and fish at any Niagara County public fishing location, including the Power Vista’s Fishing Pier and Reservoir. Contestants must be present to win. Grand prize is a half-day lower Niagara River fishing adventure. compliments of Captain Steve Drabczyk of DRAB6 Fishing Charters in Lewiston.
Visitors can also take their taste buds for a walk on the wild side, with a wild-game cooking demonstrations with chef Josh Archer, who runs the Archer restaurant in Buffalo. He will also select the winning recipe to be featured on the cover of the Wildlife Festival Outdoor Cookbook. Anyone can submit a recipe for consideration. Bring it to the NYPA Information Tent during the festival or email it to npvista (at) nypa (dot) gov.
The Niagara Scenic Trolley will provide free rides between the Niagara Power Vista and Gorge Discovery Center. Free shuttle service will be offered between the Niagara Power Vista and the Harvest Festival, with pick-up and drop-off at the Frontier House on Center Street, sponsored in part by the Lower Niagara River Chamber of Commerce.
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. The festival will be held rain or shine.
For more information on the festival or to register for a Wildlife Festival contest, call 716-286-6661, 1-866—NYPA-FUN, email npvista (at) nypa (dot) gov or visit www.nypa.gov for a complete schedule of activities.
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, WordPress, and LinkedIn.
Contact:
Teresa Martinez | Teresa.Martinez (at) nypa (dot) gov | (716) 286-6652
