Wildlife Festival Celebrates the National Hunting and Fishing Day in September each year
 

By Bill Hilts, Jr.

Sportsmen around the country will be celebrating the Annual National Hunting and Fishing Day. Niagara County's version of this celebration is the 23rd. [2009]Annual New York Power Authority's "Wildlife Festival," which is also co-sponsored by the Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs. Both have become quite a big deal.     

NHF Day started back in 1970 when gun shop owner Ira Joffe of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania had the idea to have a day to thank sportsmen for all their conservation efforts over the year. The idea was adopted by Governor Raymond Shaffer who proclaimed "Outdoor Sportsmen Day" throughout the Keystone State. The following year, bills were introduced on a Federal level to create a NHF Day across the land. They finally passed in the spring of 1972. The group that stepped up to the plate to coordinate NHF Day activities was the National Shooting Sports Foundation.     

NYPA's Wildlife Festival had its humble beginnings, too. Two decades ago, the power people worked with the Federation to make a go of a neat concept. It wasn't until they placed a huge focus on kids that the local event exploded. It blossomed from a one day event to a full weekend a few years ago. And when the weather cooperates, they've had some outstanding attendance. According to NYPA's Lori Presti, who's now the maestro coordinating the effort, there were more than 20,000 people in attendance last year. Look for this 20th Annual event to be something special.

All the old standbys will be back: Carmen Presti and The Primate Sanctuary; Paul Schnell and his bald eagle, Liberty; the Buffalo Zoomobile; live music by Glenn Colton; the contingent of Niagara County Federation booths and displays - including a new shooting exhibit - and much, much more. Don't forget the Niagara River Anglers fishing pond, either. For more information, you can give Presti a call at 286-6661 or visit their website at www.nypa.gov  to see