Story by: Michael Dawes, director of PR, Rosewood Services
Two years ago, approximately 1,600 people took part in the inaugural Great Bend Earth Day Celebration. This yearâs third-annual free event, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 20 at Great Bend Zoo, is expected to be just as well attended. The Great Bend Zoo, Rosewood ECycle and Great Bend Dairy Queen are hosting the event. They are being joined by 10 other vendors for the local event, which commemorates the worldwide Earth Day effort that raises awareness of the need to protect Earthâs natural resources.
The local come-and-go celebration occurs two days ahead of the official 54th anniversary of Earth Day, which is recognized as the planetâs largest annual civic event, celebrated each year on April 22. Events are coordinated globally to the impact of 1 billion people celebrating the day in more than 193 countries. The theme for the official 54th anniversary of Earth Day is âPlanet vs. Plastics.â
On the local front, a primary reason for the expected robust attendance this year is the scheduled appearance of âClifford The Big Red Dog,â with Smoky Hills PBS incorporating its Family Fun Day with Earth Day Celebration festivities. Crowds lined up at Great Bend Zoo two years ago when Smoky Hills PBS offered a meet and greet with Curious George during a sunny and pleasant day.
âWe canât guarantee perfect weather like we had two years ago, but we are seeing a lot of buzz surrounding the appearance of Clifford, similar to what we saw two years ago with Curious George,â said Ashley Burdick, Great Bend Zoo curator. âWeâre excited about this yearâs event because of Cliffordâs appearance, but also because we have a record number of vendors and a myriad of activities planned. Weâre confident that children will enjoy a fun-filled day at this yearâs celebration.â
Fresh off of his Barton Community College menâs basketball national championship mascot duties, Bart The Cougar will make a special appearance to meet and greet children. He will be joined by BCCâs STEM Club with a fun interactive booth for children. Also participating for the first time is Sunflower Recycling Center, and Face Painting will be available at this yearâs event.
Returning vendors this year are Kansas Wetlands Education Center, Heartland Farm, Great Bend Zoological Society, Women For Kansas, and âRead With Meâ program members Luna and Glenn.
Great Bend Dairy Queen will issue a coupon for a free small ice cream cone to the first 500 youth participants that day. In addition, there will be giveaways to the first 500 children in attendance.
Even if children arenât among the first 500 visitors in attendance, there will be plenty to see and do during Great Bend Earth Day Celebration, said Burdick.