Earth rocks!
You and the kids will come away with a greater appreciation of our unique planet, plus discover cool ways to care for its incredible biodiversity — from identifying critters and plants that live in your garden, to harvesting rainfall using a bike, while watching a 35-foot “dragon” hash it out with “St. George.” All you have to do is mark your calendars!
Earth Day is around the corner, and the Community Association of Tompkinsville Park Promoting Fun and Whimsy — as if any more needed to be said! — will celebrate the world’s largest, international, environmental event at Tompkinsville Park on April 21 with a fun-packed, interactive, family day of educational spectacles, demonstrations, and activities to help us preserve energy and respect our habitat.
The Sixth Annual St. George Day Festival promises something for everyone — rain or shine.
There will be a Great Tree Walk of the Neighborhood; a City Harvest cooking exhibit of healthy and natural foods; a recycling relay race; and a Stop ‘N’ Swap, hosted by Grow N.Y.C., where you can bring your unwanted items for other visitors to take home. Remember, one person’s trash is another’s recyclable treasure.
Representatives from the Lower East Side Ecology Center will also be on hand to alert you about disposing of your electronic waste correctly, and New York City Compost Project will lead a fertilizing workshop, so that your flowers and veggies will be the talk of the neighborhood.
Creative types are in for a treat, as well. They’re invited to come and champion alternatives to gas-powered vehicles on an interactive mural.
Other activities include exhibits from local artists, vendors, readings, and a kids stage — all to raise awareness about Mother Nature.
The day’s theme is St. George, the Christian martyr who — legend has it — slew a dragon during the Crusades. In case you’re wondering about the connection between the two observances — St. George Day is celebrated on April 23, one day after Earth Day which typically falls on April 22. (Alas, St. George, the neighborhood, didn’t derive its name from the saint, but from George Law, a developer who acquired rights to the waterfront.)
The warrior, however, and his nemesis, an impressive 18-foot behemoth toted by 18 people, will appear in a giant puppet show about water conservation in which man and beast resolve their differences peacefully.
Be prepared to similarly “ooh” and “aah” during the parade of dragons, a pageant-worthy cavalcade featuring eight, enormous, homespun beasts, including a “trash dragon” made out of recycled materials by the Green Teens from the Parks Department. The roving, three-headed dragon will be hard to miss as it picks up litter which you can help transform into a giant metal topiary serpent.
The dragon theme extends to Fido. Dress up the family pooch and enter him or her in the doggie dragon contest for bragging rights and other rewards.
Earth Day has been a part of our national and international celebrations since 1970 when its founder — Sen. Gaylord Anton Nelson from Wisconsin — established “a national day for the environment” because he felt that “the economy is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around.”
Folks on the North Shore have taken that sentiment to heart, and are using it as a tool to empower their communities.
“We are creating a joyous and celebratory environment in which we can bring people together to share ideas and celebrate our neighborhood,” said association spokeswoman Jenny Lytton.
The Sixth Annual St. George Day Festival will take place on April 21, noon-8 pm [Tompkinsville Park, Bay Street and Victory Boulevard, in Tompkinsville]. In the event of rain, activities will be held at 208 Bay Street, between Victory Boulevard and Hannah Street in Tompkinsville; www.stgeorgedaysi.com.
Reach reporter Shavana Abruzzo at sabruzzo@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2529.
