The 2016 Berks County Earth Day (BCED) event will take place Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Riverfront Park in Reading. BCED will provide free earth-friendly services to members of the community like past years. However, this year the 2016 BCED event will focus on the importance of local food and agriculture.
For the first time, BCED will give attendees a sneak preview of the 2016 Reading Penn Street Farmer’s Market. In addition, the day will be packed full of activities to educate and engage attendees and honor our planet.
Attendees are encouraged to bring children for the many planned activities in the Children’s Tent. The demonstration by the Pocono Snake and Animal Farm is also sure to bring a smile to any child’s face. Children are also invited to participate in free eco-friendly activities like seed planting, a butterfly release, building a recycled butterfly feeder and other recycled craft activities. And throughout the day, there will be an open drum circle in addition to live music from Grexin, Earth Diver, Kim and Friends and other musical acts to be announced.
The BCED Committee invites attendees to do some spring cleaning both at home and around Berks County.
For those who would like to do some spring cleaning around Berks County, BCED has partnered with Reading Beautification, Inc., to participate in the Great American Cleanup. BCED attendees can volunteer to help pick up litter around Berks County on the morning of the event. Volunteers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Riverfront Park Pavilion (Riverfront Drive) to receive supplies and their cleanup site destination. Anyone who would like to participate can contact Steve Harrity at steven.harrity@readingpa.gov or call 610-587-3090 or 610-655-6017.
Attendees who do their spring cleaning at home are invited to bring recyclables and unwanted items to the BCED event. The BCED Committee will be collecting electronics, paper and cardboard, plastic grocery bags, batteries, and gently used clothing, toys and housewares.
The BCED event will feature a “free store,” in which anyone can take any items they want at no cost to them. The items from the free store are mostly gently used items that were donated for the event. Any gently used or unwanted items attendees bring to the event for recycling will also be available in the free store or donated to local charities.
Also among the free services are health and wellness sessions and reiki in the wellness tent, and keynote speakers and workshops so attendees can learn more about topics that affect the natural environment. Kula Kamala Foundation Ashram will be hosting a wellness tent of their own with free services like yoga and meditation throughout the day.
In addition, many exhibitors, local community organizations and vendors will be on hand. Vendors will be selling artisan goods and local foods.
This year’s event is sponsored by the Doug Fisher Memorial Fund of the Berks County Community Foundation, the City of Reading, Giorgio Foods, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Renewal by Anderson, East Penn Manufacturing, Cougle’s Recycling, Inc., BCTV, Eco-Friendly Cleaning by Sabrina, Grow Your Own Freedom, DayStar Natural and iGreen Electronics Recycling.
The BCED Committee invites the community to get involved and volunteer for the event. Potential volunteers can send an e-mail to volunteer@earthdayberks.org to learn how to help with the event.
If you’d like more information or would like to schedule an interview with the BCED Committee, please send an e-mail to Amanda@earthdayberks.org or call 484-361-4422. You can also visit the BCED website at earthdayberks.org. As always, the event will take place rain or shine.
