But those will be fairly typical sightings at the 31st Annual Wildlife Festival at the New York Power Authority’s Niagara Power Vista in Lewiston on Sept. 24-25. You’ll also be able to get a front-row seat at a state-sanctioned duck-calling competition or take a guided tour of Niagara University’s nature trail, learning about area history and geology.
The free festival, co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs, will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. rain or shine. Visitors can choose from more than 60 demonstrations and activities that promote conservation awareness, including:
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, 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
For the second year, the festival will bring back the New York State-sanctioned duck-calling contest sponsored by Ducks Unlimited. There is no fee to enter the Saturday competition. The winner will go on to compete in the 81st annual World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest in Stuttgart, Ark. in November. You can still register by emailing giducks@aol.com or npvista@nypa.gov.
Wild-game tasting will also be back with venison, bison and bear sampling stations and a selection of fish near the center tent operated by the Niagara River Fishing Station of Grand Island.
Eastern Mountain Sports joins the festival this year with interactive activities and demonstrations. The Niagara River Anglers will run the Wildlife Festival’s Kids Fishing Derby. Children up to 15 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.
Learn about the goals and achievements of the SPCA Serving Erie County’s Wildlife Department and meet some wildlife ambassadors at 12:30 p.m. Sunday in the Center Tent. The department takes in nearly 3,000 animals per year of more than 100 different species. Its goal is to rehabilitate and release animals back to the wild, while helping decrease conflicts with the community.
Attendees can also try out the all-new interactive adventure exhibits at the newly renovated Power Vista. A 4-D virtual rollercoaster allows visitors to hear, see and feel the experience of a single drop of rain as it becomes a unit of energy. You can also “operate” a power plant and “run” the state’s transmission network, while learning about how the massive Robert Moses Dam helps provide power.
Visitors can ride the Discover Niagara Shuttle to the Lewiston Harvest Festival, Gorge Discovery Center and other area attractions. For more information on the shuttle and its route, visit www.discoverniagara.org.
The Power Vista is located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston. Parking is free in the Power Vista parking lot and in adjacent lots at Niagara University.
For more information on the festival or to register for a Wildlife Festival contest, call 716-286-6661, 1-866—NYPA-FUN, email npvista@nypa.gov or visit www.nypa.gov for a complete schedule of activities.
