Earth Day Partners with Diversity Day for Earth Day…A Global Celebration

Hackettstown, N.J., April 14, 2010 –  This year, Centenary College’s Earth Week Committee and Diversity Group will combine forces yet again, so members of the community can enjoy Earth Day…A Global Celebration on April 17, 2010.  This year marks the 40th anniversary celebration of Earth Day.

This event is free and will kick off at 8 a.m.  Nancy Madacsi, Centenary’s Director of Centenary’s Taylor Memorial Library will lead a nature walk at the Charles O. Hayford State Fish Hatchery.  Continental breakfast will be included, which was generously donated by Harper’s Bagels in Hackettstown.

The Earth Day Global Celebration main events will then commence at 11 a.m. on the front lawn of the campus, ending at 5 p.m.  Highlights of this family-oriented, fun-filled day include various children’s activities, an alternative-fuel and high-mileage vehicle showcase, a bicycle safety demonstration by Marty’s Reliable Cycle, as well as a display of Trek’s new fully recyclable bike, an educational ocean and crab habitat display, which includes a touch table in the Front Parlours of the Edward W. Seay Administration Building, and fly tying by Trout Unlimited.

Music and entertainment will take place throughout the day.  Local bands will be performing, such Atlantic Café Trio and Planet Janet.

As part of the Global Diversity portion of the festivities, there will be an opening ceremony with Chinese Dragon performers, as well as a Lion Dance and a martial arts demonstration by Evolutionary Martial Arts in Hackettstown.  New cultural entertainment that has been added to the day’s events this year includes an Indian Classical Dance presentation and Bollywood dancing.  Members of the community can enjoy eyebrow threading, henna painting and origami.  There will be food available with an international twist, such as Indian, Spanish and Mediterranean fare, as well as traditional American cuisine.  Indian art and clothing will be for sale.  There will also be various vendors and environmentally themed groups at the event that all promote sustainability and environmental responsibility.

In addition, there will be a fashion display of recycled outfits in the Front Parlours of the Edward W. Seay Administration Building.  Centenary College’s Fashion Department will also have a fashion show on the front steps of the Edward W. Seay Administration at 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Centenary will also be working with Hackettstown High School students to clean up various streets and parks throughout Hackettstown on April 22, 2010, which marks the 40th anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.  

“It is exciting that this is the third year that Centenary is putting together this celebration and this year it is extra special because it marks the 40th year celebration of Earth Day,” says Dr. Lauren Bergey, Assistant Professor of Biology.  “For the past two years, we have partnered with the Global Diversity team to present the unified principle of ‘all people, one planet.’”

Individuals who would like to sign up for the nature walk should contact Dr. Lynn Taylor at (908) 852-1400, ext. 2216. Also, visit the website at www.centenarycollege.edu/earthweek.