Posted by Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Bill Bradley
Just as the snow is finally disappearing, an Earth Day festival is helping Sudbury residents celebrate spring and a greener lifestyle April 18 at Market Square from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The official Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, but the festival organizers will use the Saturday before for maximum exposure.
Marcie Neuburger, the festival's development co-ordinator, addressed city council recently about the activities to be enjoyed.
"Earth Day is the largest most celebrated environmental event worldwide. More than six million Canadians join over 180 countries with staging events and projects to address local environmental issues."
Neuburger said there will be nearly 100 exhibits inside and outside Market Square. Admission is pay what you can. The children's area is expanded this year. More entertainment will be available for adults.
"This is the biggest Earth Day celebration in northeastern Ontario. We have participation from North Bay and Manitoulin Island exhibitors."
Last year 90 green organizations and businesses participated. There were seven main stage entertainers and six children's enterprises. Approximately 100 people biked to the event.
After the event, 40 pounds of compost was collected. Over 700 reusable fishes were used.
New this year are free green living workshops being held at the Greater Sudbury Environment Network office on Durham Street.
The final workshop in the series, biodynamic agriculture, will be presented Thursday, April 16 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Biodynamic agriculture mimics natural forces for maximum benefit to the soil, plants and people.
The presenters, Heather Thoma and Paul Salanki, have operated a Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) project in Little Current for six years. A CSA is where city residents co-operate with local farmers to enhance local food production by buying up front shares in the harvest, in return for weekly deliveries of fresh produce.
On Earth Day itself, April 22, the Greater Sudbury Environment Network (GSEN) and the Earth Day Festival, will present an evening of short environmentally themed movies at Rainbow Cinemas downtown from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a ticket price of $8.
Five films from the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film & Video festival will be shown. Proceeds support the work of GSEN and the festival.
The Earth Day festival has many supporters, including the City of Greater Sudbury. The city provides tables and chairs, recycling and green bin support, free bus transportation to and from the event, financial support from EarthCare Sudbury and logistical support.
For more information, visit EarthDaySudbury.ca, phone 674-1685 or e-mail [email protected] .
