Lots to do for Youngsters at Boonsboro Green Fest
Posted by Boonsboro Green Fest (04/13/2010 12:17 PM)
BOONSBORO - The Boonsboro Green Fest Committee has made certain that there will be plenty of activities for youngsters during the second annual festival, May 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Shafer Park.
“Often the children become the teachers, when it comes to issues concerning our environment,” says Rosemary James, herself a teacher and co-chair of the festival’s Kid Zone, “When the kids learn something, they want to tell the grownups all about it.”
Ms. James has enlisted the help of local students and two special entertainers to illustrate earth-friendly concepts and ideas in ways that children can easily understand. She also has planned children’s crafts and storytelling during the day in the Kid Zone in the southwest corner of the park.
Kathleen Jacobs & Puppets, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., will present a program entitled “Magic Pots and Recycled Bottles” at the Band Stand in early afternoon. The puppeteer, as the cleaning lady, along with her puppets, will enlist the help of children from the audience to tell “recycled” folktales about recycling common, household articles.
Ms. Jacobs has been creating and performing for more than 20 years, including performing at the Smithsonian Discovery Museum and The National Theater in Washington. See more information on her website www.KathleenJacobsPuppets.com.
Another special guest performer will be Tony Martirano, a song writer and performer, who is also an educator. He will be playing guitar and singing his uplifting brand of songs, including many original compositions. He plans to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his CD, Put Something Good in the World, to the Boonsboro Green Fest.
“We are so happy to have this high caliber entertainment for children of all ages to enjoy,” says Leslie Haardt, the other Kid Zone co-chair.
She is equally as proud of the local students who will be participating in the festivities in many different ways. Members of the Boonsboro Middle School Band and Chorus will be performing at different time throughout the day at the Band Stand.
The middle school Environmental Club will present a puppet theater, will make custom “green” buttons and will be serving as event volunteers. Boonsboro Elementary School fourth graders are planning environmental projects, including poster making, and performances in the Kid Zone.
High school students are signing up to help as event volunteers and earn student service learning hours at the same time. Deadline to volunteer is April 24. A sign-up form is available on the Green Fest website: www.boonsborogreenfest.com.
Girl Scout Troop 40219 of Boonsboro will be hosting a book swap in the Kid Zone. Children may bring books and swap them for “new” books at no cost. Girl Scout Troop 40222 will be offering green-themed face painting.
Other booths will feature children’s products, student artwork and information about birds and national parks.
Activities planned by the Green Fest Kid Zone committee include crafts made with recycled materials. Kids can make Mother’s Day cards out of recycled greeting cards and votive candle holders out of recycled jars. Younger children can listen to a read-aloud of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar and then make a take-home caterpillar out of recycled bottle caps.
A total of 84 vendors are scheduled to set up shop at the Green Fest. Check out www.boonsborogreenfest.com for more information about vendors, sponsors and other activities.
