Almost 1000 people came out on a beautiful spring day to the Earth Festival at Earthplace in order to have fun and learn about nature and the environment. 

Master falconer Lorrie Westman, from Talons! A Bird of Prey Experience, displayed many birds of prey, and thrilled the audience by letting an some of the birds fly over their heads. 

Endangered wildlife expert Andrew Simmons drew gasps of admiration from the crowd as he talked about the animals he brought, including a golden eagle, American alligator, alligator snapping turtle, monitor lizard, albino Burmese python and a young black bear cub. 

Wonderful live music enhanced the festive atmosphere of the day. Zu Zazz Orkestra entertained everyone with piano, slide guitar, mandolin, washtub, kazoo and vocal music from the 20's, 30's and 40's.   Dennis Waring and Dirck Westervelt entertained the crowd with several jazz numbers, and also jammed with steelpan musician Freddy Harris. 

Freddy Harris' lively music helped set the pace for the parade in the afternoon, featuring giant puppets from Waking Dream Puppets.  Puppeteer Steve Richardson wore a giant praying mantis puppet he created with children in the Earthplace April vacation workshops.  The children also wore praying mantis and dragonfly costumes that were created  during these workshops.  Puppeteer Lauren Beth (LB) Stein took the lead of a ten person "Earthworm" puppet that she created with children in the 2005 April vacation workshops.

There were many displays relating to nature and the environment.  Devine Brothers informed guests about bioheat.  A hybrid Prius vehicle went on display, courtesy of Toyota of Stamford.  Weston artist Drew Klotz set up two of his kinetic sculptures that moved in the slightest wind.  Community group displays included Norwalk River Watershed Initiative, American Chestnut Foundation, Connecticut Humane Society, Connecticut Sierra Club, Northeast Organic Farming Association of CT, Back Yard Beekeepers Association and Westport Weston Health District.  Other exhibitors included Conservation Fund administered by CL&P and WEBE 108 radio.  Earthplace Nursery School parents donated snacks and drinks for sale, and were joined by food vendors Health in a Hurry from Fairfield and Chez Lenard from Ridgefield. 

Earthplace volunteers led guests on sneak peek tours of Natureplace, the new museum exhibit area that will be officially opened on June 3.  A new honeybee hive was installed in the Smilow family Ecology Lab by expert beekeeper Leslie Huston from the Backyard Beekeepers Association.  Children and adults enjoyed viewing the resident animal ambassadors and teaching animals, including Cerena and Chatty, our two bald eagles, the turkey vultures, owls, guinea pigs, rabbits, monk parakeets and blue jays.  Volunteers from Harbor Watch / River Watch, the water quality testing program run from Earthplace, had a touch tank on display with several creatures found in Norwalk Harbor, including sea stars, blue and spider crabs.

There were several fun activities for children, such as creating musical instruments and "litter critters" from recycled materials.  Earthplace Nursery School teachers helped children create an Earth puppet with a moveable mouth.  Children could create their own pictures from magazine cutouts after being inspired by the nature paintings of artist Sean Murtha.  Teenage Junior Staff volunteers painted kids' faces and helped with craft projects.  Kids could even create their own nesting materials "feeder", a wire holder that they filled with scraps of yarn to be hung outside for the birds to use for their nests.

At the end of the Festival, everyone moved to the field on the Wheels in the Woods IV trail, the universal-access trail at Earthplace.  There Lorrie Westman and her daughter Talon flew several birds between the crowd.

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