SRU Children’s Earth Day Celebration, EarthFest set for April 21
The Children’s Earth Day Celebration will be part of EarthFest April 21 at Slippery Rock University’s Macoskey Center for Sustainability Systems Education and Research. The event is part of the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival.
April 18, 2018
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - If the meek are indeed to inherit the earth, it's probably best that we learn how to take care of the big, blue marble so it's something worth inheriting.
Slippery Rock University intends to help folks do just that through a series of programs being offered in conjunction with the University's Kaleidoscope Arts Festival. SRU has scheduled an afternoon of earth-friendly crafts, games, activities and entertainment for area youngsters at the Children's Earth Day Celebration, noon to 4 p.m., April 21 at the Macoskey Center for Sustainability Systems Education and Research.
The Children's Earth Day Celebration will include earth-friendly and interactive demonstrations, including a chance for children to create their own planters, birdfeeders and solar-powered Frisbee art. Additionally, there will be face painting and a petting zoo, with a dairy cow, piglets, alpacas and more, as well as horseback riding provided by the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
There will also be Earth Day-themed performances for children, including Bright Star Children's Theatre Company presenting "Upcycled Cinderella" at 1 p.m., the New Castle Playhouse Mini Stars at 2 p.m. and the SRU Music Therapy Club at 3 p.m.
The family-oriented event, which attracted more than 200 attendees last year, leads up to a rebooted EarthFest, which will include sustainability-focused activities and entertainment for adults, families and college students from 4-8 p.m. at the Macoskey Center.
"EarthFest engages people of all different ages in how to live a more sustainable lifestyle by welcoming them into a relationship with the Macoskey Center and giving them options or tools to take with them," said Samantha Laurence, a graduate student majoring in park and resource management and environmental education from Grove City. Laurence teamed with coworker Jacob Smith, a graduate student majoring in park and resource management from Pittsburgh to coordinate the event.
"What makes this a great event is that it not only raises funds for the Macoskey Center but also raises awareness about sustainability. It really sparks that passion for sustainability in our community," said Laurence.
According to Laurence, EarthFest returns for the first time since 2013 thanks to the support of local businesses including North Country Brewing Company, Coraopolis Collision Repair and Joden Jewelers, and also to the more than 40 volunteers from the SRU and local communities.
"We're bringing this back and putting a fresh flavor to it," said Laurence, who hopes to attract 400 attendees to this year's event. "(The support from volunteers) has been incredible, from all different majors and different departments, and we're really trying to focus on our partnerships with the community."
Slippery Rock Mayor Jondavid Longo will provide remarks to kick off the evening portion of EarthFest, which will include DIY workshops, such as mushroom inoculation with Jesse Allen from Wild Roses Farm in Slippery Rock; a silent auction; sustainably-sourced food vendors; live music from local bluegrass band Well Strung; and nature tours, including a bird-watching tour with Kathie Goodblood from the Bartramian Audubon Society and a guided hike led by the Environmental Education and Interpretation Club, an SRU student organization.
All EarthFest programming is free and open to the public. The Macoskey Center is located at 247 Harmony Road with parking available at the Storm Harbor Equestrian Center.
MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu