The Downtown Mechanicsburg Partnership is pleased to announce plans for Mechanicsburg’s Ninth Annual Earth Day Festival to be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.
The event will feature live music, fresh food, games and family-friendly activities, vendors featuring a variety of eco-friendly products, a silent auction and more. The event will be held along Market Street in downtown Mechanicsburg, rain or shine.
“Our goal this year is to raise awareness of sustainable choices that are available to consumers right here in central Pennsylvania,” said Susanna Reppert, owner of The Rosemary House in Mechanicsburg and this year’s Earth Day organizer. “The event will be fun, but also informative to help residents make eco-friendly decisions today and in the future.”
Mechanicsburg’s Earth Day Festival will also feature the following.
The Great Cloth Diaper Change - At 11:00 a.m.in Caromel Colours store front, Om Baby (retailer) of Camp Hill will coordinate our participation with women around the world in an attempt to break the record for the most number of cloth diapers changed in a given moment. Last year’s event made the Guinness Book of World Records, with participants from 19 countries that span five continents.
Complimentary Paper Shredding - PSECU is sponsoring a complimentary paper shredding event from 9 to 11 a.m. Bring your important documents to safely dispose of them.
The Mad Catter – Climb aboard a catfish boat from Breakline Charters, who will provide a fish casting game for children.
Rain Barrel Silent Auction - Attendees can bid on several rain barrels hand-painted by local artists and high school students. Rain barrels are used to collect water for recycled use in gardens or house plants.
Smokey Bear – Makes an appearance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Earth Day Festival Bike Drive – MASD Operation Wildcat Project Bikes and Recycle Bicycle Harrisburg are once again teaming together for a joint Bike Drive at the Mechanicsburg Earth Day Festival. Bikes help kids stay healthy and active. Throughout the day, community members are invited to donate used bikes, which will then be repaired and given to local children who might not otherwise be able to afford a bike. Adult bikes will also be accepted and used to help disadvantaged adults acquire transportation to go to work. In addition, the American Trauma Society, PA Division will provide free bike helmet fittings and Bike Safety Education. Visit this table and enter your name for a chance to win a free bike helmet. Visitors to this table can also play several fun bike-related games and have the chance to win a variety of prizes! Attendees to the festival can also bring their own bikes for minor repairs.
Introduction to Corn Cob Construction at 11:30. Perfect to make garden beds or pizza ovens or chicken coops, come to this free workshop, to learn ins and outs of the construction. Get your hands dirty (and your feet) to learn the proper proportions to mix the material and how to test its durability and application. This interactive class is appropriate for all ages.
Live Music - Local artists Jonathan Frazier (folk/flute/keyboard), and Bumbada Women’s Drummers are returning by popular demand. Mike Banks (singing guitarist) also locally-based, will be taking the stage. The Central PA Belly Dancers will round out the entertainment for the day.
Vendors – Local merchants that sell and/or produce eco-friendly products such as cloth diapers, solar panels, and even burial options will host booths. In addition, a variety of fresh food will be available.
Activities for Children - Grace United Methodist Church will host fun games and activities for children. The Mechanicsburg Museum Association, will provide kid-friendly foods and activities as well.
It is truly a Community event - With participation from the
Cumberland County Master Gardeners, Penn-
Cumberland Garden Club, Mechanicsburg Woman’s Club, Mechanicsburg Area School District Green Team,
Mechanicsburg’s Environmental Advisory Council, Mechanicsburg Lion’s Club and many others.
Special thanks to this year’s Earth Day Festival sponsor: PSECU
For more information about the Earth Day Celebration or to reserve a vendor booth, call or e-mail Susanna Reppert, Owner of The Rosemary House, at (717) 697-5111 or BeGreen@MechanicsburgEarthDayFestival.com.
