Charleston County’s Environmental Management Department invites citizens to join in celebrating Earth Day during the 2013 Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20. The free event will be held from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Riverfront Park on the former Naval Base in North Charleston.
The 14th Annual Earth Day Festival is a celebration of Charleston County’s environmental community. The festival provides hands-on educational opportunities for all ages, and highlights the County’s environmental programs.
“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 Environmental Management Department’s Recycling Programs Manager. “Riverfront Park offers a beautiful waterfront setting to enjoy the diverse, fun and family-oriented activities.”
Charleston County’s Earth Day Festival attracts as many as 8,000 people each year. All participants are asked to commit to reducing waste at the event. Resource Recovery Centers will be strategically located throughout the park to collect recyclable materials and organic waste generated during the festival.
Charleston County’s Annual Earth Day Art Contest was held again this year, and students in grades kindergarten through sixth grade submitted drawings for the theme: “One Earth, One Future.” The winning artwork will be featured at the event and will be printed on the back of all festival T-shirts.
April 20 Earth Day Festival Schedule of Events:
11 a.m.: Event kickoff with Military Magnet Academy’s Marching Band
11:15 a.m.:
Opening remarks by attending Charleston County Council members
Awards and recognition of the Annual Earth Day Art Contest winners
Recognition of festival volunteers
11:30 a.m.: Live performance by local step team Gentlemen of Duty & Distinction Service Brotherhood
11:45 p.m.: Live musical performance by members of the Blue Dogs, a band from Charleston
12:45 p.m.: Birds of prey demonstration by Stephen Schabel with The Avian Conservation Center
1:15 p.m.: Mad Science demonstration
1:30 p.m.: Live musical performance by Professor Bottleneck & Harmonica Frank, a German acoustic duo specializing in blues, jazz and swing with an environmental twist
2:00 p.m.: Goodwill Fashion Show
2:15 p.m.: Zumba with Prisca Denton
2:30 p.m.: Live musical performance by The Bluestone Ramblers, a South Carolina bluegrass band
3:00 p.m.: Live reptile demonstration by Kiawah Island Nature Center
3:30 p.m.: Storytelling by Hawk Hurst
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
FREE shredding services (located in the parking lot)
Collection of electronic waste, such as old TVs and computers, for recycling (located in the parking lot). Bring old/unwanted electronic items to be recycled and avoid these items being disposed of in the landfill.
Goodwill donation center (located in the parking lot)
Composting Awareness Center, a focal point tent emphasizing “Are you in the Loop?” where attendees can learn about the composting cycle. Guests will receive home composting information, commercial food waste information and free compost samples.
Hands-on fun with Mad Science play stations
Water buffalo by Charleston Water Systems
Nature walks with a local naturalist
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’s Environmental Management Department staff will:
Provide reusable bag giveaways for the first 500 attendees
Feature demonstrations showing the new single stream recycling truck
Host a recycling tent with information, giveaways and prizes
11:45 p.m.: Live musical performance by members of the Blue Dogs, a band from Charleston
12:45 p.m.: Birds of prey demonstration by Stephen Schabel with The Avian Conservation Center
1:15 p.m.: Mad Science demonstration
1:30 p.m.: Live musical performance by Professor Bottleneck & Harmonica Frank, a German acoustic duo specializing in blues, jazz and swing with an environmental twist
2:00 p.m.: Goodwill Fashion Show
2:15 p.m.: Zumba with Prisca Denton
2:30 p.m.: Live musical performance by The Bluestone Ramblers, a South Carolina bluegrass band
3:00 p.m.: Live reptile demonstration by Kiawah Island Nature Center
3:30 p.m.: Storytelling by Hawk Hurst
FREE shredding services (located in the parking lot)
Collection of electronic waste, such as old TVs and computers, for recycling (located in the parking lot). Bring old/unwanted electronic items to be recycled and avoid these items being disposed of in the landfill.
Goodwill donation center (located in the parking lot)
Composting Awareness Center, a focal point tent emphasizing “Are you in the Loop?” where attendees can learn about the composting cycle. Guests will receive home composting information, commercial food waste information and free compost samples.
Hands-on fun with Mad Science play stations
Water buffalo by Charleston Water Systems
Nature walks with a local naturalist
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’s Environmental Management Department staff will:
Provide reusable bag giveaways for the first 500 attendees
Feature demonstrations showing the new single stream recycling truck
Host a recycling tent with information, giveaways and prizes
Plus a whole day of fun activities, prize drawings, contests and interactive live performances
City of North Charleston
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control
