Waggons West Etsy Shop

Monday, April 23, 2012

Earth Day 2012

This weekend was Earth Day.  It is a weekend filled with festivities for our Environmental Group.  We had two different events this year.  A small festival at a local manufacturing plant and a booth at the big Earth Day event downtown. 



 We had beautiful weather for the small event.  It was sunny, a light breeze and just warm enough to enjoy being outside.  Instead of taking the sunpainting to this event, we took a small upcycle project where the kids could make bracelets out beads and old t-shirts.  All of the kids there participated including this wee one who knew all her colors.  She is working with one of our board members and her adult in this picture. 


We took the whole shebang sunpainting gear downtown for the main event.  We had a full roster of volunteers for the entire day and all three spuds plus one rolled out to help set up and paint.  This picture gives you an idea of what we encountered most of the day. 

The rain woke me up when it started pouring about 3 am.  It rained intermittently until some time afternoon.  It was too cold and too wet to even try getting the sunpaint out.  Fortunately we brought some of our macroinvertebrate friends along with us.  That is what is fascinating everyone in this photo.  Unfortunately, we didn't bring the bracelet materials. 

It actually turned out to be a pretty good day.  We were all frozen, but the crowds turned out.  The good thing was that the folks who turned up at Earth Day in the cold rain were serious about the environment.  They were looking for concrete ideas and solutions.  They wanted volunteer opportunities.  They wanted to participate.  The more dilettante folks who are quick to join a cause but slower to heed a call to action stayed home.  The festival was less colorful but in many ways far more productive than usual. 

*As a side note, given how busy this month is between stream cleaning projects and Earth Day Events, I had planned to use our sunpainting project, public art, as my iron craft entry.  Not so much to show for it.  But that is how it goes. 

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