Several hundred people came out in the rain to enjoy learning about nature and the environment.  Everyone was impressed by the size and majesty of Atka, an artic wolf presented by The Wolf Conservation Center of South Salem, NY.  Master falconer Lorrie Westman displayed many birds of prey, and thrilled the audience by letting an African augur buzzard fly over their heads.   Giant puppets from the Waking Dream Performance Company danced with visitors in a parade around the main tent.  One puppet, a 10-person Earth Worm, was created especially for the Festival by children in the Earthplace April Recess Workshops, under the guidance of LB Stein from Waking Dream.

There was music for many tastes.  Children enjoyed the Hall Family and their message about loving the Earth.  JamxBand provided a lively steel drum beat for the marchers in the puppet parades.  Zu Zazz Orkestra entertained everyone with piano, slide guitar, mandolin, washtub, kazoo and vocal music from the 20's, 30's and 40's. 

Westport artist Jerry Kuyper exhibited artworks created from trash and items he has found along the road.  He also created impromptu art from bottle lids brought in by Festival visitors.

There were many displays relating to nature and the environment from Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, CT Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound, CT Agricultural Experiment Station, CT Masters of Wildlife Conservation, Friends of Sherwood Island, Connecticut Sierra Club, Nutmeg Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Master Gardeners and Westport Weston Health District.  Other exhibitors included Segway of Westbrook, CT Conservation Fund administered by CL&P, LEVCO, Blue Buffalo Company, Emer'gen-C and Wild Oats.

There were many other fun activities related to the environment.  Microscopes gave close-up views of the creatures that can reside in compost.  Displays featured information about wolves and their animal relatives.  Kids made drums, shakers and other musical instruments from recycled materials, as well as small puppets.  There was even a water table with crabs, a sea star and a lobster to examine.

Earthplace wishes to thank the sponsors of this event:  Toyota of Stamford, Devine Brothers and Braun Tent.  At the Festival, Toyota of Stamford brought a gas/electric Prius hybrid car for viewing, and Devine Brothers displayed information about their building and landscaping business.  Tents for the event were provided by Braun Tent.  In addition, Earthplace wishes to thank Dattco bus company for inaugurating their new "green diesel" buses to provide shuttle service for the event.

 

 

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A giant earthworm puppet was created by pre-K through 6th grade children in the April Recess Workshops,
under the guidance of LB Stein from Waking Dream Performance Company.  It takes 10 people
to man the body of the puppet, which was featured in the Earth Day parade on April 30.