Monday, April 2, 2012

2012 Earth Day Festival on April 14 at Riverfront Park


Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department will host the 2012 Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 14, from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. The new location for this year’s festival is Riverfront Park on the former Naval Base in North Charleston.

The County’s 13th Annual Earth Day Festival is a celebration of Charleston County’s environmental community. The festival provides hands-on educational opportunities highlighting Charleston County’s environmental programs and community in an entertaining atmosphere.

“Our Annual Earth Day Festival provides an ideal opportunity for Lowcountry residents to learn how they can make a difference in our community at home, work and play,” said Carolyn Carusos, Charleston County’s Environmental Management Recycling Programs Manager. “The new location for this year’s festival at Riverfront Park offers a beautiful waterfront setting to enjoy all the diverse, fun, family-oriented activities.”

Charleston County’s Earth Day Festival has attracted as many as 8,000 people to the free event each year. All participants are asked to commit to reducing waste at the event. Resource Recycling Centers will be strategically located throughout the park to collect recyclable materials and organic waste generated by attendees.

Charleston County’s Earth Day Art Contest was held again this year. Students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade were asked to submit drawings on Earth Day subjects with the theme of “Put Your Green Foot Forward.” The winning artwork will be featured at the event and will be printed on the back of the volunteers’ T-shirts.

Schedule of Events:

Main Stage
  • 11:30 a.m.: Event kickoff with Bishop England’s Marching Band
  • 12 p.m.: Opening remarks by Charleston County Council Representatives in attendance / Awards & recognition of Earth Day art contest winners and recognition of festival volunteers
  • 12:30 p.m.: “We All Live Downstream” by speaker Kim Counts with the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium
  • 1 p.m.: Live performance by Shrimp City Slim, piano/vocals, specializing in Lowcountry blues & original songs
  • 2 p.m.: Live performance by The 3 Dudes, Charleston’s youngest & most rocking rock band
  • 3 p.m.: Live performance by Yeehaw Junction, Charleston's premier bluegrass band specializing in playing traditional bluegrass music
  • 4 p.m.: Live performance by Adande African Drum & Dance Company, exploring the elements of history and entertainment combined in a single musical experience
Educational Stage
Other Highlights of the 2012 Earth Day Festival:

Over 60 environmental activities and educational displays on alternative energy, conservation, local and organic agriculture, animals and habitat preservation, litter, water and air quality, seedlings, recycling and composting
  • Hands-on fun with Mad Science play stations
  • Water buffalo by Charleston Water Systems
  • Pet Helpers will be on site providing information on animal rescue and adoptable animals
  • Local food vendors and food trucks offering classic festival fare plus some vegetarian options
  • Returning Trash-to-Treasure guest, The Yo Art Project, to assist with craft-making using recycled materials
Charleston County Environmental Management staff will:
  • Collect electronic waste, such as old TVs and computers for recycling. Bring your unwanted electronic items with you to avoid these items being disposed of in the landfill.
  • Provide reusable bag giveaways for first 100 attendees
  • Feature demonstrations showing the new single stream recycling truck
  • Host a recycling tent with information, giveaways and prizes
  • Have recycling bins for available for residents to take home
  • Provide home compost information, backyard composting demonstrations and free compost samples
Plus a whole day of fun activities, prize drawings, contests and interactive live performances

Charleston County Government’s Environmental Management Department thanks their contributors:
City of North Charleston
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control

For more information on recycling or the Earth Day Festival, visit recycle.charlestoncounty.org or call (843) 720-7111.

1 comment:

  1. This will be our first time going. We are looking forward to coming out there today.

    ReplyDelete