Date and Time
Saturday Apr 26, 2014
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, April 26
Location
Renfrew Institute
Renfrew Park
Waynesboro
Website
Contact Information
717-762-0373
Description
Fun, entertaining and informative—Renfrew Institute’s Earth Celebration Day and Festival of Art is a full day of discovery, education, music, and art. The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at Renfrew Park in Waynesboro. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Held in conjunction with the event, the ninth annual Recycle/Reuse Yard Sale is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the picnic area of the park.
Now in its 24th year, the celebration includes dozens of exhibitor displays featuring everything from gardening and geology to eco-friendly products and services. Children will want to visit Grow House Village—backyard playhouse structures made from animal enclosures grown over with flowers and vegetables. The Village will include five model structures on display in the exhibit area.
At 12:30 p.m., Renfrew Institute’s Environmental Artistry Awards will be presented, followed by an Earth Day proclamation from Franklin County Commissioners.
Following the proclamation, a special program will mark the Greater Waynesboro Area’s official designation as an Appalachian Trail Community. Guest speakers from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, along with local dignitaries will join in a program celebrating the announcement.
“We are proud that our Earth Celebration Day event was chosen as the venue for this important and exciting announcement,” said Melodie Anderson-Smith, Renfrew Institute Executive Director.According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, “…participation in the program is designed to act as a catalyst for enhancing economic development, engaging community citizens as trail visitors and stewards, aiding local municipalities and regional areas with conservation planning and helping local community members see the trail as a resource and asset.”
Also new this year, the Franklin County Planning Department, in partnership with Bartlett Tree Experts, will be handing out free tree seedlings as part of the county’s Trees for Tomorrow program. The initiative was created to educate residents about the importance of trees in our community, and to encourage planting more trees.
In addition to environmental exhibits and activities, area artists will display, demonstrate and sell their works during the Festival of Art. These include a variety of fine art, jewelry, photography, basketry, garden art, pottery and more. Earth themes will be in the spotlight.
“The goal is to promote the concept that art, in its many forms, reflects our need to celebrate the earth and its life through artistic expression,” said Melodie Anderson-Smith, institute executive director.
Children of all ages will enjoy Slim Harrison, who returns this year with his “Good Time Mountain Music.” Kids can use Slim’s handmade instruments or bring their own to play along as part of the Sunnyland Band.
Local artist and musician, Patric Schlee and the EarthSong Ensemble will lead an “improv music session” beginning at 3:15 p.m. “Bring drums, flutes, guitars, or a didgeridoo—any instrument—and jam with Earth Day Concert #5,” Anderson-Smith said. The improv session is open to everyone.
A food stand will offer hot dogs, beverages, baked goods & other tasty items for sale, and attendees may picnic in the park.
The Franklin Co. Commissioners and Washington Township Supervisors are sponsoring free personal document shredding from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Washington Township Office Parking Lot (beside the Welty Road entrance to Renfrew Park). There is a limit of 10 bags or boxes per person, and the following items cannot be processed: newspapers, 3-ring binders, carbon paper, film, metal, cardboard, trash or heavy plastics.
In the spirit of recycling, several area groups are collecting items for re-use or proper disposal. The Lion’s Club will collect used eyeglasses and cell phones, and Summitview Elementary School will collect used printer cartridges (no copy toner cartridges please).
Again this year, CFAR/Waynesboro Running organizers are collecting “gently used running shoes” to support the Waynesboro Area Middle School running team. Worn out athletic shoes will also be collected for recycling
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