Children gather to watch much anticipated puppet show during Earth Fest 2015
Adults and children of all ages are invited to join the fun as Penn State Shenango holds Earth Fest 2016 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9, at the campus in downtown Sharon, Pennsylvania. The event, which offers free admission and is open to the public, will include live music and entertainment, educational presentations, children’s activities, a local artists’ market, Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream, and information from sustainability-minded local organizations and businesses. Food and coffee from Haitian Sensation, The Bluegrass Kitchen and AVI will be available to purchase.
There will be entertainment all afternoon beginning at 11 a.m. in the Great Hall with a community drum circle. All are welcome, and drums will be provided, or, you can bring your own. At noon, local news editor Joe Wiercinski will give an educational presentation on identifying edible wild plants titled “Can I Eat That? I Found It In the Woods.” Songwriter/puppeteer Christopher Rowlands will perform at 1:15 p.m, blending music, dance, and comedy to teach children about animals and their habitats. The Greenville High School Steel Drum Band, under the direction of Christopher Williams, will bring their Caribbean-flavored music to the Great Hall stage at 2:45 p.m.
A variety of activities for children and family members of all ages include science-related activities from the Oh Wow! children’s science center; Shenango River-themed crafts and educational activities in the “Habitat Room” courtesy of the Shenango River Watchers, the Hermitage Schools Green Team, and Penn State Shenango’s science department; face painting by First Presbyterian Church of Sharon; and a take-home seed planting activity with the Penn State Shenango Agriculture Club.
Other activities available throughout the day include an eco-friendly local artist’s market and information tables from environmentally-conscious local businesses and organizations. New this year, there will be an exhibition of upcycled artwork created by local elementary school students in Art Gallery located on the second floor of Lecture Hall. And while you are here, don’t forget to stop down in the Great Hall to purchase some famous Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream!
Earth Fest 2016 is being co-sponsored by WKBN and Fox Television. For a complete schedule of events, or for more information on Earth Fest 2016, contact the student affairs office at 724-983-2836 or visit www.facebook.com/PennStateShenangoEarthFest.
