Niagara Power Vista will hold sun safety and solar power program

Believe it or not, there will be warmer weather before too long. If nothing else, the sun will be out more. Or so we hope.

To get ready, on March 7 - the day before the switch over to Daylight Saving Time - the New York Power Authority will host a program called "Sun Safety-Solar Power" from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Niagara Power Vista in Lewiston.

As part of the program, children will be invited to draw a poster as part of the national SunWise with Shade Poster Contest, a collaboration of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Shade Foundation, a children's skin cancer education and prevention organization.

Posters also can be dropped off at the Power Vista. All posters entered could be among those featured on the websites of the participating agencies. Prizes will be awarded, including a trip to Washington, D.C, for the national winner.

To be eligible, all posters must:

•Be original and drawn by hand on 8.5-by-11-inch paper and may not contain copyrighted or trademarked characters or material

•Include at least five Sun Safety Action Steps that are part of the SunWise program (visit www.shadefoundation.org to find the steps)

•Have an official entry form - available at the Vista - on the back of each poster

•Be received by April 1

•Contain correct spelling and grammar in the fourth-eighth-grade category

"Since we started this poster contest 12 years ago, more than 167,000 students across the country have submitted posters and learned about sun safety in the process," said James Norton, chair of the Shade Foundation board of directors. "We are excited to launch the 2015 contest and provide sun safety education in a fun and engaging format."

In addition to the contest, movies on sun safety and solar energy will be shown. Children can receive a solar bracelet kit, using beads that change color when exposed to sunlight.

Guests can experience the Power Vista's attractions, which include displays and interactive exhibits relating to electricity production, energy efficiency and the area's history, as well as unique views from the observation deck 350 feet above the Niagara River Gorge. Parking and admission at the Power Vista, located at 5777 Lewiston Road, Lewiston, is always free.

Call 716-286-6661 or visit www.nypa.gov/vc/niagara.htm for more information.