Earth Day Attracts Hundreds to Ewing Park to Celebrate the Planet

An estimated 700 visitors passed through Ewing Park to visit the annual Lawrence County Earth Day Celebration.

Although the weather was chilly, it didn’t discourage attendance, and the sun shined throughout the festivities.

“This Year’s Earth Day Celebration brought Ellwood City, New Castle and the surrounding areas together to laugh, learn, create and celebrate our beautiful planet,” Tracey Ferguson, Lawrence County Earth Day co-organizer, said.

More than 50 vendors and exhibitors participated in the event, including  belly dancers, a chainsaw artist, a yoga routine and a make your own walking stick activity, Pine Cone Bird feeders-an activity where children could make a bird feeder out of peanut butter, pine cones and bird seed.

Attendees could purchase handmade, environmentally friendly items such as soaps, essential oils and cleaning products.

“This year had the most exhibitors and activities yet,” Ferguson said.

The highlight of the event was the Wild World of Animals show which included an otter, a possum, a snapping turtle, a weeks old tiger and many others. The hour-long show was informative and entertaining.

Visitors could also engage with interactive environmental awareness activities, such as the bag monster created with 600 plastic bags- the amount that the average person goes through in a year.

The horse-drawn trolley rides were a popular feature this year and was in used throughout the entire event.

Inmetco provided tree seedlings, a giveaway, free hot dogs and chips.

The event was co-organized by Ferguson and Rhonda Dam of New Castle. Earth Day was planned by Ellwood City Community Enrichment and the Earth Day Committee.

Sponsors included: Inmetco, Nalco, Armstrong Cable, Lawrence County Commissioners, Parent’s Preschool and Katy’s Baked Goods.

Photos by Tracey Ferguson for EllwoodCity.org.