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NYPA: Celebrating Earth Day at Niagara Power Vista

by jmaloni

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Tue, Apr 15th 2014 07:00 am

The New York Power Authority encourages visitors of all ages to submit a sculpture for the sculpture contest, one of the featured events at its "Every Day is Earth Day" celebration, Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the admission-free Power Vista, the visitors center for NYPA's Niagara Power Project.

Sculptures must be made with recyclable materials and can be dropped off at the Power Vista, anytime it is open, up until 2 p.m. the day of the event. Artistic adults and kids are encouraged to be creative, imaginative and draw inspiration from the world around them.

Buffalo fine arts sculptor Lawrence Kinney will select the most creative entry. Visitors will also cast ballots for the "People's Choice" award. Winners will receive prizes that include a discovery pass for four to the Niagara Falls State Park (which includes admittance to the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Observation Tower and Gorge Discovery Center), courtesy of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Prizes will also be awarded in other categories.

All sculptures will be displayed in the Power Vista's community room. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Kinney and members of the University Heights Art Association, of which he is a founding member, and the Buffalo Society of Artists will oversee a robot-building project for children ages 5 to 14.

The "Upcycle Robots" will be made from tin cans of various sizes. Children will learn how discarded metal objects can be reused to create toys or storage containers. Participants will also receive a coloring sheet/handout that describes other projects that can be made at home.

Visitors will also enjoy the sounds of Solar Punch, a four-person band that rocks out with solar-powered instruments to teach about science and the environment. In addition to appearances around New York, the band has traveled to India and Nepal and will visit Haiti this summer. Their performances address environmental challenges, combining climate leadership workshops and creative eco-activism via song, dance and art.

Band members will also show how they use solar power to charge their instruments and hand out free samples from a solar cooker.

Other green-themed activities include free rides on the Niagara Scenic Trolley between the Power Vista and Gorge Discovery Center, a visit by the Buffalo Zoomobile, face-painting by the Lockport YMCA Teen Leaders Club, and crafts from the State Parks' Interpretive Center and local exhibitors.

Guests are also invited to visit the Power Vista's displays and interactive exhibits on electricity, energy efficiency and area history, as well as unique views from an observation deck 350 feet above the Niagara River Gorge.

The Power Vista is located at 5777 Lewiston Road in Lewiston. Admission and parking are always free.

For more information call 716-286-6661 or email [email protected].

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