Keep Pickens Beautiful’s 3rd Annual Earth Day on Main celebration was this past Saturday, and it was the biggest and best yet. The sun came out, the crowds came, and fun was had by all.
This annual event thanks the community for supporting KPB, shares information about local resources, and offers interesting and entertaining activities.
KPB sponsored several crafts – participants could make seed paper from recycled shredded paper, paint compostable pots (soil and seeds provided), and draw an ‘Earthly Masterpiece.’ Everyone’s creations were so creative!
To demonstrate alternative fuels, Vered brought one of her family’s diesel Mercedes Veggie Wagons that has been running on used veggie oil for 20 years.
The Pickens Recycling Center made a replica of the facility with displays of each type of item accepted. Facility manager, Michael, answered questions and explained what’s recycled and how the process works.
Sonia Chapman, the Agriculture teacher at Hill City, explained composting with several displays. She even had an interactive ‘make your own edible compost’ activity with crushed cookies, marshmallows, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut to demonstrate the compost layers, topped with a delicious candy worm.
Kaluna Farm helped folks start their home gardens with a variety of plants for sale, answered questions, and provided advice on how to successfully grow delicious veggies.
Girl Scout Troop 19001 sent participants home with their own tie-dyed t-shirt, in blue and green of course! Proceeds from their shirt sales will support the Girls’ silver awards. Projects include adding benches in the Talking Rock Nature Preserve and adding educational signage about native plants.
The McCracken Family had a variety of beautiful hand-made items for sale – watercolor paintings, cutting boards from locally sourced wood, plants in recycled containers, and amazingly intricate earrings and pendants.
ED B’s Studio brought recycled art for display. His adorable characters were made from items he found in the junk yard!
Gabrielle and Isadore Jones educated and refreshed. Isadore sold her delicious bubble tea – it’s quite an experience if you haven’t ever tried it! And Gabrielle was there with EarthBound Skills to teach participants about mushrooms and more.
Eric Reinhardt kept the crowd movin’ and shakin’ as his music carried across the park.
Mark your calendar for next year’s 4th Annual Earth Day on Main, Saturday, April 19, 2025.
To learn more, follow KPB’s social channels or visit www.keeppickensbeautiful.org.
