Earth Day Festival begins tonight with Caring for Creation at Mount Sequoyah

For Immediate Release

April 16, 2010                                   

Contact:  Lindsley Smith

Communication Director

479-575-8328

lsmith@ci.fayetteville.ar.us

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL IN FAYETTEVILLE

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. In honor of this occasion, the Northwest Arkansas community is hosting a variety of low or no-cost events that highlight the relationship between people and planet.

To kick off the festivities, Mayor Lioneld Jordan read an Earth Day Proclamation today at noon on the Historic Fayetteville Downtown Square by Nomkhubulwane, a sculpture by South African artist Andries Botha made from recycled tires.  Jordan stated prior to reading the Proclamation of April 17-24 as The Fayetteville Earth Day Festival, “For decades Fayetteville has been the leader in Arkansas in environmental stewardship, advocacy, and commitment. I thank those who came together in collaboration through the Fayetteville Forward Green Economy Action Group, restaurants, organizers, the many volunteers, and so many in our community who are celebrating events from Artosphere to Curb the Clutter, from the World Peace Wetland Prairie Earth Day Celebration to the Lake Fayetteville Festival, or from Gardenfest to Green Your Life.”  Jordan added, “There is truly a community spirit in this endeavor to be stronger stewards of the environment and to celebrate the Earth and our commitment to protecting her.”

To assist in guiding residents and visitors, the Fayetteville Forward Green Economy group has developed an Eco-Passport that lists the many events occurring throughout the region; including music, food, art, and education opportunities, as well as discounts provided by many local businesses.  Mikel Lolley and fellow Fayetteville Forward Economic Accountability Council Green Economy member Melissa Terry envisioned the Eco-Passport, and Jordan presented the Proclamation to them.  The Eco-Passport may be found at http://blog.accessfayetteville.org/triple_bottom_line/Eco%20Passport%202010%20Final%20-%20FINAL.pdf 

On April 20th at 9:30 a.m. on the footsteps of City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce will recognize the City's efforts in sustainable practices with its new GreeNWAy business certification, and the Walton Arts Center is kicking off its first art and nature festival, Artosphere, on Earth Day.  That festival covers a five week period from April to May, and includes a concert series with world-renowned acoustic guitarists in venues such as Thorn Crown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Bell Gable in Fayetteville, AR; and Stone Chapel in Goshen. Other highlights will be the music events along Lake Fayetteville trail as well as the many artist installations on display.

If you're looking for low cost, high quality fun, do not miss the Eco-Passport festivities.  Moreover, a free event that drew over 3,000 participants last year is the City of Fayetteville’s Parks and Recreation, Lewis and Clark Outfitters, and The University of Arkansas Intramural and Recreational Sports partnership that brings you the Lake Fayetteville Outdoor Festival from 10am-3pm. Tomorrow.  Activities include kids safety with the City of Fayetteville Fire Department, guided bike rides, guided hikes, and free kayaking.  

Finally, tomorrow, April 17, will be the big Fayetteville Forward 2010 day in which citizens from all over Fayetteville, and representing over 100 organizations, will meet together to share their vision for Fayetteville’s Future from 8-5 at the East Square Plaza on the Historic Fayetteville Downtown Square.