April may be the cruelest month, it's a fairly nice month as far as helping the environment goes.
The Washington College community will be recongizing Earth Day with a whole afternoon of activities at the annual festival.
Earth Day celebrations have become a tradition at WC. Each year there is a festival of numerous activities that spectators can enjoy.
They includ sports games, live music, and information booths set up by clubs and organizations from both on and off campus.
"We plan to have many events and activities for students to participate in," said Student Government Association President Darren Brozene. "The day should be great and everyone should try to come down and have somefun."
Brozene is on a Core Committee that is responsible for organizing the event. The other student members of the mostly-student Committee include Adrienne Nash from the Student Environmental Alliance, Mark Weist and Michael Hardesty from FORCE, Laura Parr from the Student Events Board, and John Evans from Campus Greens. Bob Hooey, Director of Student Activities, is also a member of the Committee.
"We've been working with a group of students though the SGA, through Student Events Board, SEA, FORCE, and Campus Greens. And through Students Affairs," Nash said.
She said that the festivities will be provided by groups both on and off of campus. "This year, we're having environmental organizations participate with civic organizations and environmental organizations. We have civic and environmental organizations that are local, and then we have the environmental groups on campus and groups like Amnesty participating," said Nash.
Best Buddies, the Greek Organizations, and the service Council will host booths at which they will be selling crafts like scarves and homemade jewelry.
Amnesty International will have a booth of its own, for the first time ever at WC. Their table will be distributing information on the JustEarth! Network, a branch of Amnesty International that stands for people around the world who are campaigning on behalf of the environment.
Campus Greens will also be distributing information. Theirs will be general information on the Green Party and the issues the Green Party is working on.
"My goal for Earth Day is to raise the campus's awareness of our presence. Call it recruiting if you'd like. Basically, what I want to see on Earth Day is a bunch of students coming over to the SEA table, checking out the activities and looking at literature describing the goalsof our group. There will be a sign-up sheet for students to put their e-mail addresses, enabling us to contact them with information on currentenvironmental news," said Evans.
Elsewhere, there will be a live demonstration on how to make hemp jewelry and sand art. There will be a story corner for children, a riding bull, and games of ultimate Frisbee and volleyball.
Five bands are scheduled to make appearances. They include Rubin, a WC group; The Two Siberians, a local band that has played frequently at Andy's; K.J. James, a blues guitarist who has played four concerts on campus, one of which so far has been an Earth Day show; Mother Freedom, a band Hooey described as "hiphop with a 50s flair"; and The Roadies, a veteran Southern rock group that has played next to ZZ Top and other famous acts. Hooey said that Roadies lead guitarist Jody Paul is a friend of his, and an exceptional musician.
"If you don't agree with me that he's one of the most underrated guitarists of all time, then I want you to show me who's better."
The plethora of participating groups and activities is much in keeping with the spirit of Earth Day.
"The theme of Earth Day is a celebration for the Earth and its diversity," said Nash. "It is important to see the connection between people and the environment, because they're interconnected."
The festival will take place on Saturday, April 26 at Wilmer Park. Admission is free and open to everyone.
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