Alteris Renewables
Aquarian Caterers
Audubon-Bent of River
Baum Orthodontics
Blue Yodel Music
Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited
CL&P
Community Energy
Conscious Financial Directions
Cooperative Extension
EMS
Expanding Your Visions
Friends of the Library
Fuel Cell Energy Corporation
Girl Scouts of Connecticut
Glacial Energy
GM
Graceful Planet
Great Finds & Designs
Holmes Fine Gardens
Housatonic Valley Waldorf School
Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company
Independent Party of Newtown
La Leche
Mocha Coffee House
Middlegate Jr. Master Gardeners
My Place
Newtown Clean Energy Task Force
Newtown Conservation Commission
Newtown Forest Association
Newtown High School Ecology Club
Newtown Lion’s Club
Newtown Public Works
Pootatuck Watershed Association
Reed School Environmental Club
Rod Duraney-Naturopath
Sierra Club – Housatonic Valley Group
Shortt's Organic Farm
Starbucks
SusySaid.com
Taunton Press
The Inspired Body
Town & Country Garden Club
Wow Green
 |
Sunrise Service (7am)
The clergy of Newtown will be holding a special ecumenical service to start Earth Day on the right path. Meet at the top of Castle Hill – the beginning of Old Castle Drive – for a peaceful, spiritual awakening to connect your mind, body, and soul with the earth and our community.
“Go Solar!” (All Day)
Bill Weber from Alteris will demonstrate the power of the sun by showing kids of all ages how to create simple “solar thermal panels” using basic materials — and thrill everyone with a solar-powered toy car racing competition.
Ecology/History Walk
Led by our own town historian Dan Cruson, you’ll get a chance to see Newtown through the eyes of history.
“Environmental Maze” (All Day)
Test your environmental awareness in this fun, interactive maze for all ages — prizes to be awarded!
EMS “Backpacking Clinic” (All Day)
Learn how to fit a pack, what lightweight gear to bring, and which backpacking stoves work best for your trip. Freeze-dried food samples and prizes!
“Lose the Litter” (9am-1pm)
Help the Lions Club clean up Newtown’s streets…bags and gloves provided.
Potato Sack Races (11am-Noon)
Get your hopping shoes on — the fastest on their feet will get prizes!
Wonders of Nature Hike (Noon)
Led by Pat and Leon Barkman, and Rob Sibley, Newtown's own environmental treasures, this interactive hike for children of all ages will explore the wonders of nature and marvel at the beautiful and pristine wilderness near the center of downtown Newtown.
Dance Performances (Noon-1pm)
The Graceful Planet dancers will take center stage with performances of:
-- “Peter & the Wolf” (Noon)
-- “The Karma Dance Project” (12:30pm)
“Magic Marty” (Noon)
Be mystified by the miraculous magic of magician Marty Sternberg.
Family Yoga (1pm)
Join members of Graceful Planet as they help you connect with your inner Zen.
Bicycle Safety Inspection (1-2pm)
Ride your bikes to Earth day and get a free bike safety inspection at Don’s Cycle Expo.
“Get Physical” (2-3pm)
Jerry Kochman of Waldorf Schools will get your body moving during an energetic “fun and fitness” session.
Educational Forums:
“Toxins in the Home” (11am)
Dr. Gary Ginsberg
Join book author and radio-host Gary Ginsberg as he explores “What's Toxic and What's Not” in our consumer products, cleaners, drinking water, and food. Did you know that toxic black mold is largely a myth, but that overheating your non-stick frying pan really can be toxic and kill your pet bird? So come to hear how to detox your home in this lively interactive presentation.
“Sustainability: Global Crisis, Bogey-Man or Opportunity?” (11:30am)
Ben Roberts, Conscious Financial Directions
Given our long history of exponential economic growth, our planet and society are now confronted with a wide-range of critical issues. Yet, to what extent are these issues a pressing concern? Are the proposed solutions to them a potential drain on our society — or an opportunity for new growth and development? This lively forum will provide a perspective on everything from climate change, pollution issues, and depletion of fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources to population growth, poverty, and challenges to our food and water supplies.
“A Healthier You” (1:00pm)
Dr. LaDonna Dakofsky
Find out how to take charge of your health from the "Best Younger Physician in Fairfield County!” Dr. LaDonna will show you and your family a proactive and holistic approach to weight reduction, heart health, happiness, and longevity. Passionate about wellness, Dr. LaDonna can show you how to live a long life.
“Eating in Season” (1:45pm)
Nina Stout, Nina Stout Wellness
Geared toward kids, this forum will show them how to help their parents pick seasonal fruits and vegetables in the supermarket so as to minimize footprints.
”Three Ways to Be Greener (and Save Energy) at Home”
A Hands-On Demonstration (2:15pm)
Dan Morrison, Taunton Press
-- Sealing Ductwork -- 30% of the warm or cool air carried through ductwork in America leaks out. Learn how to seal ductwork with mastic.
-- Air Sealing Your Attic -- Insulation is important, but when the warm air leaks through the roof, the insulation doesn’t do much. Learn how to seal up small cracks and big holes with spray foam and rigid foam board.
-- Insulating Your Water Pipes -- Heating water is the second highest energy load in most houses, behind space heating). By insulating you pipes, you can use a lot less energy to heat the water. Learn how to insulate water pipes with pre-formed foam.
-- Free samples of Tauton’s “Energy Smart Homes” and a Kill-A-Watt meter give-away.
|
Activities:
- Recycled Drum Circle — Come and beat to the sound of your inner drummer
- Raffle — Take a chance to win a beautiful seasonal bouquet donated by Newtown Florist
- Check out the future of cars with GM’s Hydrogen Car
- Kid Fun — Fairy crowns and wands, face painting, and henna tattoos from the good folks at Graceful Planet
- Mocha Coffeehouse “Recycled Art Show” Winner
- Toy Solar Car Race
- More Kid Fun — Nature arts and crafts
- Seed Planting
- Fly-Casting
Music & Food:
- Listen to the crisp Americana, Alt-Rock-Country sound of “Blue Yodel Music”
- Enjoy the creative global cuisine of Aquarian Caterers
- Relax with a fresh cup of coffee or tea from Mocha Coffeehouse
- Busy with Earth Day fun? No problem! Grab a coffee or lemonade from Starbuck’s mobile back-pack
Other Goodness:
- Drop by to see “Blue Yodel Music” as they’ll be signing people up for the May 2nd New Milford Memory Walk to help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association
- Stop by the Graceful Plant booth to make a donation that will benefit “The Engage Network, Africa Humanitarian Tour”
|
About Newtown’s Earth Day Festival:
The primary mission of Newtown Earth Day is to foster education and awareness of environmental stewardship through project participation and collaboration with local associations. Organized by Newtown’s Clean Energy Task Force, this annual event will bring together schools, municipal and charitable organizations, sustainable vendors, and no-profits, in a synergistic celebration of good deeds for our space on the planet. The event will also provide a forum for residents of all ages to become more engaged in the collective consciousness and responsibility we all have in the health of our Newtown – and our region’s soil, air, and water.
|
