WAYNESBORO, PA—The Institute’s 31st Earth Celebration Day is today, Saturday, April 23, at Pine Hill Recreation Area.
“The Institute is thrilled to welcome back our environmental exhibitors and a full slate of activities,” said Jessica Watson, Institute assistant director and event organizer. “We have live music by Mountain Air, environmental artists and artisans, a student art show and so much more.”
Paper shredding by OSI (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.), a Goodwill truck pick up, prescription drug take-back by Washington Township Police, and eye glasses & cell phone recycling by WALL Lions Club are offered, in addition to a Recycle Fundraiser from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..
The Franklin Co. Commissioners’ Earth Day Proclamation is at 1:30 p.m., and Mountain Air performs from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
New this year is the Pennsylvania WoodMobile, a traveling exhibit that educates visitors about our forests and forest industries, and explores how the forest is managed in a sustainable way.
“Unlike in a museum, the WoodMobile encourages visitors to interact with exhibits, including touching various hardwood species produced in Pennsylvania,” Watson said. “It also has interactive technology exploring threats to the forest like invasive insects and plants, diseases and white-tailed deer.”
The WoodMobile also shows how the forests of Pennsylvania have shaped the history of the state and nation, and how today’s forest differs from 100 years ago.
The Recycle Fundraiser includes a silent auction for decorative and functional rain barrels, hand-painted by Waynesboro Area Senior High School Community Art program students.
“Attendees should bring some cash—in addition to the rain barrels, we have great raffle items, a bake sale and a yard sale,” Watson said.
Have lunch in the park with food trucks, Jenni’s Knife & Spork and McCoy Pop-Up Pizzas.
To date, environmental exhibitors include: Alexander Hamilton Memorial Library, Antietam Watershed Association, Conococheague Audubon, Franklin County Commissioners, Franklin County Rock and Mineral Club, Friends of Mont Alto State Park, Greater Waynesboro Appalachian Trail Community, The Institute’s WaterStriders, The Institute–Environmental & Cultural Programs, Little Antietam Creek, Inc., Michaux State Forest, Monarch Butterflies with Courtney Patterson, Pennsylvania Wood Mobile, Renewal by Anderson of Central PA, Waynesboro Shade Tree Commission, Specialty Granules, Inc., Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve, Tri-State Astronomers, Washington Township Municipal Authority, and Mark and Deana Weaver (fossils).
Artists and artisans include: Blue Ridge Garden Club, Judy Bricker (Flowerbuds), Cosmic Rhythm (jewelry, stones), Four Sons Farm (fiber arts), Nicodemus Ceramic Arts Center, and Jackie Tosten (Recycled Creations).
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call 717-762-0373 or email to [email protected]
