11th Annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO – It Won’t Disappoint!

by: Lynne Hart

:Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful is proud to host our 11th annual Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free, although we do suggest a $1 donation. The event will again be held at the Friendship United Methodist Church facility on Lucas Ferry Road in Athens.

We try very hard to make each year a bit different and exciting so children and adults can come and enjoy all we have to offer.

This year, we are excited that Mr. Bond and The Science Guys will be joining us. They will have two separate areas where children can participate in science experiments. The experiments will be different at each station and will change every hour.
Representatives from our Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority will also be sharing information on our local water supplies and our need to protect our waterways.

KALB is pleased to have American Leakless Company as our Earth Warrior premier sponsor!This sponsorship has allowed us to bring in the Science Guys and Camp McDowell, and to offer free gifts upon admission while they last! Additional sponsors include WestRock, Bank Independent, Turner Medical/Intech America, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Indorama Ventures, Clem Tire, Pepsi Cola Bottling Co. Decatur, Athens Now, and TVA.

Camp McDowell will bring a bit of their magic with them, allowing you to give in to your own curiosity with an up-close encounter with native birds of prey and reptiles. If you are brave enough, there will be reptiles to handle (you know you want to). Educators from the camp will also present a program featuring the birds of prey they bring along, allowing you to understand the role of raptors in our environment and how we can help to protect them.

The planning committee will again host a Kids Korner featuring crafts made with recycled materials that children up to 12 years old can make and take home.

Complimentary hot dogs, Pepsi, and popcorn will be available while supplies last. Each admission comes with a free door-prize ticket. Door prizes will on display at exhibitor and vendor booths. You decide what prize you’d like to win and drop your ticket in their jar. If there are more prizes you have your eye on, you can purchase additional door-prize tickets for $.50 each.

We have selected this year’s Earth Day shirt design and will have t-shirts for sale.

Although admission is free, there will be donation jugs at the entrance gates. You can drop your donation into the jug of your choice marked for Alabama (Roll Tide!), Auburn (War Eagle!), or Any Other Team fans. We want to see whose fans are the most generous in helping to support the work of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful. We must raise nearly $45,000 in donations, memberships, and fundraisers to meet our annual budget of just over $70,000; so any donation amount is very much appreciated.

Free Nature Walk

Before you head to the Earth Day celebration, join Mr. Damien Simbeck, TVA Natural Resources Management, as he guides you through the Marbut Bend Walking Trail in West Limestone sharing his exceptional knowledge of the area wildlife and history of the walking trail.

Damien will meet participants at 8:00 a.m. at the Marbut Bend trail head on Saturday, April 27. The trail is considered handicapped accessible. Bring binoculars if you have them and insect repellent. Wear comfortable walking shoes.

You will have plenty of time to return to Athens for the Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO which begins at 10:00 a.m.
For more information on this event, please contact KALB at 256-233-8000 or kalbcares@gmail.com.
By: Lynne Hart
Executive Coordinator – Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful