Across Cherry Hill, the weather is warmer, cherry blossoms are blooming and gardens are coming back to life with an array of colorful plants.
Spring has finally sprung, and the township is inviting residents to celebrate its arrival by coming out to Earth Festival. Cherry Hill’s fifth annual festival will be held on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Croft Farm.
Township Director of Communications Bridget Palmer said more than 90 displays are expected for this year’s event. All will focus on sustainability, recycling and other earth friendly initiatives.
The event is organized each year by the township and Sustainable Cherry Hill. The two organizations have teamed up to make Earth Festival the second-largest event of the year after Fall Festival.
“In a given year, we usually have about 4,000 to 5,000 people turn out,” Palmer said.
The goal of the event is to make residents more aware of the environment and to give them ideas on how to improve sustainability at home.
“Sustainable Cherry Hill looks at this event as a way to celebrate, learn and grow about the environment and society in general,” said Brenda Jorett, the organizer for Earth Festival.
Many businesses and organizations will have displays showcasing sustainable agendas and products. Some of the sponsors have participated in the event before, while others will be coming out for the first time. Jorett said Sustainable Cherry Hill has received an overwhelming amount of interest in the festival.
“We have waiting lists for the entertainment. We have waiting lists for the vendors,” Jorett said. “I’m still getting inquiries from businesses and nonprofits.”
Schools from Cherry Hill are also getting involved. Many of them set up displays and projects specifically for the event.
“We have the schools participating with their Green Team, Environmental Club, science and art projects to deal with sustainability,” Jorett said.
Among the displays will be an opportunity for residents to recycle electronic waste. An area will be set up to allow residents to recycle most electronics. Large appliances, televisions and glass computer monitors are not permitted.
“We have a variety of different types of recycling,” Palmer said. “E-waste is the big one because we don’t pick those up curbside.”
There will be other recycling areas as well. Some of the items residents can bring include shoes, plastic bags and wire hangers.
Township officials also ask for residents to bring non-perishable food items. The Cherry Hill Food Pantry will be on hand to accept donations.
While the festival itself doesn’t kick off until 10 a.m., residents are invited to take part in a free, family friendly bike ride. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., with the ride beginning at 9 a.m.
Riders can choose to take a short, two-mile route or a long, nine-mile route. Both routes will start and finish at Croft Farm. All cyclists are expected to complete their ride by 10 a.m.
“The bike ride focuses on better ways to get around rather than our cars,” Jorett said.
In addition to displays and recycling, Earth Festival will feature entertainment, healthy snacks, carnival games and an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic.
Earth Festival will be held rain or shine. While the township is hoping for good weather, they are confident residents will turn out and show their support of sustainability.
“It really is just a family friendly celebration of the earth, community and sustainability,” Palmer said.
Jorett hopes attendees will not just enjoy the festival, but also learn something new about the environment and sustainability.
