Published: April 06, 2008 10:29 pm         

Earth Day

Several events planned to celebrate planet

Options abound later this month for those who wish to celebrate — and show their appreciation for — the planet they call home.

While Earth Day is commemorated each year since 1970 on April 22, a host of activities in our region awaits environmentalists and amateur Earth-o-philes alike on the preceding weekend.

Sue Plumley and Kara Ware will co-host their third annual New River Earth Day Celebration in Fayetteville on April 20. The Fayette County Courthouse lawn and two blocks of Court Street will be devoted to the occasion from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Plumley said.

“Spring renews the year, and it renews your thoughts and hopes. It renews my hope that people will come together and fight our climate problems to give us fresh water and fresh land. I’m hoping that, with spring, people will become renewed and double their efforts to get this (climate problems) under control for our children.”

The Fayetteville festival will feature educational booths by the state Department of Environmental Protection, the National Park Service, Highlands Conservancy, Plateau Action Network and the Fayette County Farmers Market. Plumley also pointed to Earth Day buttons and free books to be handed out.

For the children, both an obstacle course and a climbing wall will be the orders of the day. “They love those,” Plumley added.

The Rev. Roy Crist will recite an “Earth blessing,” and a choir from Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School in Oak Hill will perform at 1 p.m. Local bands will also crank out their own tunes on a stage with a sound system, and Maura Kistler plans to lead a “kids concert,” as well. Tie-dyeing and other activities will also take place.

For those who can’t attend April 20 but would like to contribute to the cause, Gumbo’s Cajun Restaurant in downtown Fayetteville will offer an Earth Day dinner this Monday from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. For $5, the eatery will serve up some famous red beans and rice. For one more dollar, you can add on some andouille sausage.

All proceeds from that event, including tips, will go toward the New River Earth Day Celebration festivities, Plumley emphasized.

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A bit farther south and a day earlier, the Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem will host a 12-hour Earth Day celebration on Rocky Mount Road. Featuring “music, arts and activism,” the fourth annual event begins at 11 a.m. and lasts until 11 p.m.

Featured attractions include music and dance performances, a panel discussion, a nature hike, recycled art activities, a planting project and a bean dinner. Musical acts include The Electric Junkyard Gamelan, Option 22, Trees With Attitude, Captain Lazerblast Band, and Kathleen Coffee. Cori (Edwards) the Poet will also be on hand.

As soon as that ends, “All Night Open Mic” will commence at 11 p.m., the first of a monthly series. The event is presented in conjunction with LLyniuM Entertainment.

More event details can be found online at www.earthdaywv.com. For more information, call the center at 304-466-0626. Specific directions to the celebration site can be found on the Internet at www.folklifecenter.org/contact_us.

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A 100-yard parade will take place on W.Va. 3 in Glen Daniel on Earth Day itself, April 22, said Raleigh County Solid Waste Authority Director of Education Sherrie Hunter.

While times have not been finalized, the parade is intended to celebrate the 81,000 pounds of paper recycled by students at nearby Fairdale Elementary School.

Raleigh County sheriff’s deputies and state Division of Highways crews will assist in blocking a portion of the road during the five-minute parade, Hunter explained.

For more information, contact Hunter at 304-255-9335.

— E-mail:

mhill@register-herald.com