Forecast calls for good weather for Earth Day Festival on Saturday

Submitted

With temperatures forecasted to be 80 degrees and no chance of rain, it looks like Saturday will be a great day to celebrate our lush green environment and play outdoors. Keep Anderson County Beautiful will be hosting the seventh annual Earth Day Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at A.K. Bissell Park in Oak Ridge.

A big emphasis in this year’s festival will be showing children how to play ”neighborhood games” that require simple instructions and no costly equipment. Believe it or not some kids don’t know how to play hopscotch or play double jump rope (see demo here) or even sing the child’s rhythmic, ” Strawberry Shortcake, huckleberry pie…”

Many other simple games will be demonstrated with time for kids to learn how to play. Student chess club players will help novices learn how to play with large and traditional size chess pieces. There will be a recycle relay and basketball free throw, bocce, croquet, flying discs, and ladder ball. Prizes will be offered.

There will be a Trashformations art exhibit created by local area students made from recycled/found materials. A special scavenger hunt will provide incentive for children to visit all the display and activities booths.

Sponsored in major part by Leidos, Earth Day 2014 will feature lots of outdoor fun for the family. There will be a special area for pre-school children. Come out and join the fun!

The popular “Erase Your Trace” special recycling program will be held again at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities parking lot on Badger Road by the Friendship Bell in A.K. Bissell Park. The drive-through event will collect old computers and peripherals, personal documents for on-site shredding, gently worn shoes, books, eyeglasses, cell phones, rechargeable and button batteries (no alkaline batteries), and old towels, blankets, and bed-spreads (for the animal shelter). This is a rain or shine event at the parking lot.

Earth Day 2014 will also have an entire month devoted to exploring the city and its greenways. To find clues that lead to hidden prizes with its Geo-Expedition event, check www.orearthday.org.

You can find out more about the event, sponsorships, and volunteering, plus local drop-off centers for shoe collection at www.orearthday.org.