IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2, 2008
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine
Office: 724.738.4854
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Earth Festival ’08 features circus, green cooking, live bands

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Zany Umbrella Circus, “green” cooking and backyard birding are among the new programs set for the 18th Annual Earth Festival April 19 at Slippery Rock University’s Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research. The event is free.

           A bag auction and an appearance by McLaws Drive, a Virginia-based jam band, will also be new, complementing a variety of adult education workshops and children’s programs.

            “This will be a terrific Earth Festival, with activities for everyone,” said Thomas Reynolds, center director. “We are very fortunate to have the Zany Umbrella Circus with us for the day. They will be presenting a very unique roaming performance focused on people power.”

            The Pittsburgh-based circus uses art as a vehicle for promoting dialogue, teaching cooperation skills and encouraging children to use their imaginations to create artwork of their own. They will perform two, 90-minute shows.

            All of the activities support the center’s mission of promoting sustainability.

            “Public perception of environmental issues is increasing and the call to action has sounded to change the way we interact with the planet,” Reynolds said. “Earth Festival is about sustainability, it’s an opportunity to show people how they can protect the environment while supporting the local economy and respecting social values.”

            Earth Festival, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will include the following activities:

• Workshops on: Organic Cooking, Wind and Solar Power, Basic Home Composting, Apple Tree Grafting, Backyard Birding, and more;
• Children’s Activities featuring: Kite-making, a Know Your Earth Challenge, a Farm Animal Fun Exhibition, as well as other games and crafts;
• The Sustainable Marketplace, featuring local businesses with sustainable products;
• The Sustainable Bag Charity Auction, showcasing items themed to help reduce planet impact;
• Musical entertainment by The Masters of Metamorphic Rock, McLaws Drive, local bluegrass sensation “Well Strung” and local folk musician/songwriter Rick Bruening;
• Experts in biodiesel will answer questions at The Biodiesel Forum; and
• Sustainable food options will be available throughout the day.

            The Macoskey Center is an 83-acre laboratory at SRU promoting sustainability through demonstration, education and research. 

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.