What other day of the year can you happily walk around with an ivy wreath atop your head? Or find out how to grow seeds in a soda bottle? Or meet an alpaca?
Must be the annual Earth Day Celebration at the Ogden Nature Center, where visitors can enjoy everything from nature crafts to astronomy lessons to recycling workshops.
"It's a great mix of education and fun," says Brandi Bosworth, public relations coordinator. "So there are great activities for kids of all ages and then there are educational workshops for the more serious conservationists."
Alpacas are new to the festival, which opens at 11 a.m. Saturday at the center. The furry long-necked critters will arrive with their ducks and chickens from the River Rock Family Farm in South Weber for the event.
Farm staff members will also offer a cupcake tasting contest, Bosworth says, to see if people can tell the difference between cupcakes made with duck eggs and cupcakes made with chicken eggs.
Also new this year are demonstrations on weaving and spinning by members of the Utah Weaver's Guild.
Among the perennial favorites for children at the event are the climbing wall and the Ogden Ranger District Water Trailer, where kids can learn about erosion by playing with sand and water, Bosworth says.
Other ongoing activities include mini hikes around the nature center grounds, scavenger hunts, a sun scope, puppet shows, song circles, face painting and story time.
Entertainment kicks off at 11 a.m. with winners of the center's new Earth Day songwriting contest performing their works. At 12:45 p.m., singer/songwriter Cheyenne Herland of Ogden takes the stage, followed by the Celtic Beat Irish Dancers of Layton at 2 p.m.
Bagpiper Shaunna Goldberry of Ogden cranks up her pipes at 3 p.m. and Dan Arnow of Ogden leads an Earth Day musical tribute and drumming circle at 3:30 p.m.
Chitters, the center's resident great horned owl, and other birds will star in presentations beginning at 11:30 a.m. and running every half-hour in the amphitheater.
Workshops and lectures in the education building include mason bees (a type of solitary, noncolonizing bee) at noon, composting at 1 p.m and 3 p.m., and recycling at 2 p.m.
More than 60 Earth-friendly vendors will fill their booths with native plants, tire crafting, hiking and biking information, henna, gardening tips, pottery, backyard birding tips and more.
About 2,000 visitors typically attend the Earth Day Celebration, which is held rain or shine. If it rains, activities will move indoors or under tents.
"The chorus frogs are out, the birds are migrating, it's a lovely time to be at the nature center," Bosworth says.
PREVIEW
- WHAT: Earth Day Celebration
- WHEN: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
- WHERE: Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th St., Ogden
- TICKETS: $2; free to those who bicycle, walk or ride the bus. 801-621-7595, www.ogdennaturecenter.org.
Comments