Annual Earth Day Expo April 22 in Monroe
Monroe's 16th annual Earth Day Expo will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22 in the Gerald Welch Health Education Building at Monroe County Community College, 1555 S. Raisinville Road.
Live music and food trucks are among the expo's newer offerings.
"Healthy Planet, Healthy You" is the theme for the free, family-friendly event. The expo will offer activities for all ages, exhibitors and awards for schools.
Food trucks were requested by past attendees.
"Responding to feedback from previous events, we will have some local food trucks and a coffee truck on site, offering delicious and diverse options for refreshments. This is a new feature that we introduced last year and plan to expand in the future," Dan Rock, recycling and green community program director for Monroe County, said.Live music also is a newer addition.
"We are also delighted to have live music throughout the event by Bob Bransky, a local musician, master gardener and gardening educator," Rock said. "Bob plays a variety of genres, including early American, folk, acoustic rock/pop and original songs that celebrate our connection with the Earth."
Many will staff educational exhibits that focus on living sustainably. Exhibitors are: Monroe Family YMCA, county of Monroe-Recycling and Green Community, Recycle IT USA Toledo LLC, Monroe County Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness program, Janels Creative Solutions, Arbonne International, city of Monroe Commission on the Environment, Tabb Packaging LLC/Clean Tech Inc., Goetz Family Farm CSA, Eden's Garden Club, St. Joseph Catholic School, Norwex, DTE Energy, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, Health Education at Monroe County Health Department, Alliance To Halt Fermi 3, Anxious Crafts, American Cancer Society, Monroe County Library System, Monroe Conservation District, Monroe County Horticulture Club, International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, FEDCO, Don't Waste Michigan, Citizens' Resistance at Fermi Two (CRAFT), MCOP/Opportunity Center, Friends of Potter Cemetery Association, Monroe County Community College, Monroe County Democratic Party, GFL Environmental, River Raisin Watershed Council, Republic Services, Meadow Montessori School, Tub Tea by Whitney LLC, DTE Home Energy Consultation Program, River Raisin Institute, Technology First, Huron Valley Group Sierra Club, Monroe County Museum System, Robert Hughes, Shaklee, the Davey Tree Expert Co. and Monroe Community Credit Union.
A welcome will be offered at 11 a.m.
The Green School awards will be given out at 12:30 p.m.
"This year, we will honor our Monroe County Green Schools for their outstanding achievements and efforts in environmental education and stewardship," Rock said.
The River Raisin Institute's school project winners will be announced at 1:30 p.m.
"We will also present awards to the schools that participated in River Raisin Institute’s Climate Literacy Project for creating the best amphibious sculptures out of recycled materials. The Climate Literacy Project is a semester-long initiative to raise awareness of ecological and sustainability issues among students," Rock said.
Prize drawings will take place at 1:45 p.m.
The expo is well-attended every year.
"The Earth Day Expo attracts around 400 attendees every year who are passionate about green, healthy and eco-friendly living," Rock said.
This year's event sponsors are Monroe County, River Raisin Institute, Monroe Family YMCA, Monroe County Library System, DTE Energy Foundation, DTE Energy, FEDCO, Monroe Community Credit Union, La-Z-Boy and Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
For more information, call 734-240-7909 or visit greenmonroecounty.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Annual Earth Day Expo April 22 in Monroe
