Take a step back in time to the 1970s during this year’s Burlington County Earth Fair at Historic Smithville Park.
The annual festival of sustainability, recycling and stewardship returns to Smithville on Sunday, April 27, from 11 AM to 4 PM, and will feature a 1970s theme in honor of the very first Earth Day held in April 1970. Admission to the event is free for all ages. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite 1970s era attire.
“Earth Day was created to bring attention to the environment and make protection a national priority. Decades later, it’s more important than ever that we work together to preserve our air, water, land and wildlife,” said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the liaison to the County Department of Resource Conservation and Parks. “Burlington County’s Earth Fair is a place to learn simple ways to make sustainability part of our daily lives and help protect our natural world.”
Among the new environment-friendly games and activities is PSE&G’s “Great Energy Escape”, an escape-room style game where players are challenged to solve 12 energy-saving puzzles before time runs out. It’s a fun way to learn how to conserve energy and save money on utility bills!
Headlining the presenters and performers this year will be Doug Tallamy, a University of Delaware professor, author and leader with Homegrown National Park, a nonprofit organization that promotes biodiversity.
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge is returning with animal ambassadors from its Medford center. There will also be presentations from the Burlington County Master Gardeners, Starchild Nature School, Nature Sounds Studio, Pinelands Preservation Alliance, Toadshade Wildflower Farm, the new Edelman Fossil Park and more!
Visitors can shop at the festival’s Artisan Marketplace featuring upcycled and recycled goods and creations, visit a pop-up nature center, trade plants or seeds at the Plant Swap table, and pedal their way to a delicious beverage courtesy of Wheelie Good Smoothies.
The Sustainable Living and Recycling, and Clean Communities tents will feature displays, games and collection bins for plastic bags/film, reuseable bags and small e-waste items like ear buds, cell phones and power cords.
New to the tents this year will be a special bicycle collection by the Mercer County Boys and Girls Club. The organization collects unwanted or damaged bikes and repairs them to donate to residents in need. There will also be a collection of gently-used art, craft and office supplies. Donating them keeps waste out the landfill.
Food trucks, a beer garden, live music, children’s puppet parade, storytellers and more will make for a great family outing. A complete list of the day’s events is available at https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/1958/Earth-Fair.
“Protecting our environment is a team effort and Earth Fair teaches residents of all ages ways that are easy and fun,” Eckel said. “Small changes and everyday choices can make a world of difference, so mark your calendars and come out to one of Burlington County’s premier events.”