Celebrate the wonders of nature during Earth Fest from noon to 4 p.m. on May 1 at Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne. Hosted by Friends of Rogers, this fun-filled day is packed with outdoor activities and presentations.
“We’re excited to host this annual celebration, which we know our community looks forward to with great anticipation every year,” said Simon Solomon, Friends of Rogers executive director.
New this year, visitors can create pollinator sculptures with guest artist-in-residence Leigh Yardley. Once complete, these unique community art pieces will be permanently installed along Rogers Center trails. (This project is made possible with public funds from the Chenango Arts Council’s Decentralization Program, a re-grant program of the NYS Council on the Arts, with support from Governor Cuomo and the NYS Legislature.)
In keeping with Earth Fest tradition, visitors can try canoeing and kayaking, make nature crafts, meet the friendly animals of the Ross Park Zoomobile, and enjoy music by Dan Duggan & Peggy Lynn. Organic clothing company Free Flying Fish and the CNY Astronomy Club will be part of the festivities, along with tasty offerings from vendors such as Cook’s Maple Syrup and Mizrahi Granola.
Recycling is an important theme at this year’s Earth Fest. A used bike drive, to benefit Community Bikes, will be held throughout the day. Bikes of any size in reasonably good working condition will be accepted. Electronic waste is also being collected, which Friends of Rogers will then exchange for funds to support Rogers Center operations. (Note that acceptable electronic waste is limited to: business/VoIP phones, calculators, cell phones & accessories, digital/video Cameras, eBook readers, full & empty printer cartridges, GPS & radar detectors, iPads & tablets, iPods & MP3 players, laptops, PDAs, video games & consoles.)
During the festival, Boy Scout Troop #66 will provide camping and “Leave No Trace” demonstrations. A wide variety of complimentary CHOBANI yogurt will be available, plus festival goers can take home a free tree from among a selection of red pine, red stem dogwood, sycamore, or white spruce. Thanks to Lost Bikers BBQ, Mangia Macrina’s Wood-Fired Pizza and Stewarts Shops, delicious festival refreshments will be available for purchase.
While there is no charge for Earth Fest, Friends of Rogers encourages contributions to support future operations. Rogers Center is operated by Friends of Rogers Environmental Education Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers educational programs for all ages. Seasonal winter hours are from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (607) 674-4733 or visit www.friendsofrogers.org.