Kenyon College’s Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC) will host its annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 22, from noon to 4 p.m. at 9781 Laymon Road in Gambier. The theme for this year’s event, which is free and open to the public, is “Keep it Wild.”
BFEC Post-Baccalaureate Fellow Emma Coffman, a 2022 Kenyon graduate, says the theme allows for people to focus on what they can do to help the Earth. “Focusing it on animal conservation is a really accessible way for people to learn what they can do in a fun and exciting way,” she said.
There will be a plethora of things to do at the event. Ohio Bird Sanctuary will bring birds of prey, such as certain types of owls, hawks and falcons. For people interested in spiders and bugs, the United Titanium Bug Zoo from Ohio State University will also have a variety of insects to view. Additionally, Ohio Nature Education will give a presentation on native animals, including the screech owl. ATHENAS, which is a program aimed to heighten girls’ experiences near and around science, and Mount Vernon’s Science Play-Space Initiative (SPI) will also have fun activities for children.
Festival goers seeking a bit of earth-friendly retail therapy can enjoy local vendors. Natives in Harmony will be selling native plants, Teeny Greenery will be on hand with small succulent arrangements and Broken Oak Farm will offer an array of home goods. There will also be two food trucks at the event; Green Vibes Juice Truck will offer tasty drinks and Chef Meagan’s Food Truck will serve farm-to-table food. Entertainment will include a Kenyon’s modern/postmodern dance class performing along with the Twin Oak Elementary School choir.
“There’s really something for everyone,” Coffman said. “We’re just here to have a good time and get people thinking about the things that they might not think about year-round, which is what Earth Day is for.”