Thousands Attend the Woodbury Earth Day Celebration

Mother Nature presented us with a gift of warm temperatures and sunny skies for the 19th annual Woodbury Earth Day that took place in Woodbury, CT on April 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  The beautiful and spacious Hollow Park was perfect for a picnic and for children to romp and play.  

The one-year planning of the Woodbury Earth Day event proved to be a huge success. There were so many activities and vendors at the event it was fun to decide which activity to do and which booth to visit first.  The beautiful expanse of lawn for picnics also beckoned attendees to purchase many of the tasty treats offered from a wide variety of food vendors. It was pleasant to just sit, relax and enjoy the delicious fresh food, or just stroll and enjoy the day in the spectacular surroundings with friendly people.

Environmental information was available for all sorts of issues regarding agriculture, farming, gardening, and tree care. The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition was in hand to help us learn how to protect the quality and quantity of water in the Pomperaug Watershed, which is a 90 square mile area that provides water for thousands of residents.  Joel Serota was on hand, Chairman of the Woodbury Open Space Acquisition Ad Hoc Committee, to discuss the 227 acres of Woodbury Reservoir Property and how to keep this important water source safe.  Many more vendors provided valuable information to help save our planet.

Weise Choice tree care company owner Dan Weise had the tallest exhibit with his new cherry picker equipment that seemed to reach sky high. Arborist Justin Coppola explained how the harnesses were worn when using this machine. The control panel was complex but Weise operated the equipment with ease. Safety is top priority, they said.  

Patch was there to support Earth Day and promote After Earth, a new movie from Sony, in theaters May 31st.  Patch was giving away seed packets in card form, t-shirts, and totes, and other items.

Face painting and henna body art made the day even more colorful as tiger, spiderman and butterfly-faced children roamed about, and arms had pretty henna designs.  Musical instruments of all kinds were available for children to play too, some from from Soulshine Arts and more from the Southbury Music Studio, whose walk-on piano keyboard was a favorite to the children.  Barefoot Books offered a wide selection of reading material and stuffed animals that engaged children of all ages.  A petting zoo of small farm animals delighted children including a miniature cow, a cage full of rabbits, and many other animals.

Animal rescue groups were at the event, as well as search and rescue dog groups. 

Spotty Dog Rescue, Bonnie Blue Rescue and Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) had adoptable dogs on hand and some were puppies.  Be sure to check them out, contact information is on their websites. They have eve more pets coming in they said. 

R-Sar Inc. search and rescue dog trainer Bridgette Ashmore explained the dog's abilities, such as wilderness air scenting, or cadaver scenting, as being decided early on based on the dog's natural inclination during training.  Their team is out of Monroe, CT, but services the surrounding area.

Baker's Dozen offered all natural doggie treats "in bags of a baker's dozen of course," said owner Lisa Baker who was there with her husband Chris Baker.

The most unique business combination was Woodbury Saw and Mower business owner Kevin Barry, who has also been a beekeeper for the last 6 years. He had beehive starter kits for sale and gave instructions on how to start your own hobby or business.  He donned his beekeeper gear and pulled out one of the beehive sections from the wooden boxes he was selling, to show a sample.  The cost was approx. $98.00 including tax, to purchase a beehive package.

Artisans showed off their talent in wood carving, jewelry making, tile carving and molding, leather crafts and more.  Ray Medeiros, the owner of "Why A Spoon" who hand carves spoons from 27 different woods, described his craft this way, "Why a spoon? It's the first tool we use at birth and the last tool you use at death."  He's been in woodworking for 45 years since the age of eight.

Food was plentiful at the event, fresh and natural.  People arrived with appetites.  Sweet potato fries from G-monkey were popular, as well as ice cold fruit smoothies from Raw You-Niverse. 

There were cinnamon donuts from Dottie's Diner, wood-fired-oven pizza from Pizza to the People, Keifers Kettle Korn from Nebraska, home made preserves from Winding Drive Artisan Jams and Jellies, and jams from Killam and Bassette, a family business for 25 years who has an 82 year old partner, owner Chris Bassette said.

On the spicy side was Garlic Headz tomato and garlic brochetta and garlic steak sauce from owners Curt and Ryan Malahan.  Kazuhiro Hidaka, Japanese owner of Krazy for Kazu, offered an unusual selection of salad dressings.  He described the flavors as he handed you a sample to taste, and each was amazingly good.

Doug Crane, owner of Dragon's Blood Elixir Hot Sauce, said his hottest sauces were named "Unique Destiny," and "Wild Elephant Deterrant."  He uses 12 different peppers to make the sauce, all grown in Connecticut, he said. "Each pepper will affect a different part of the tongue in an all-encompassing heat," said Crane.  He said his best seller, and award-winner, is "Dragon's Blood Elixir" his signature sauce.

The New Morning Market tent was buzzing with activity and included a large container of fresh fish, some fresh salad, and a ginger-citrus guayusa tea called "Runa," which claims to have two times the antioxidants as the leading green tea product.

These are just a sampling of the many delectable foods at Woodbury Earth Day this year. 

Groups gathered to go on the river walk, and others paddled around the pond in a kayak, which had two spray fountains, a small sandy beach area, and a dock on which to recline.  Paddling instruction was given and many people were there to help from CT Outdoors and Naugatuck Valley Outdoors Club (NVOC) and there was also a life guard.  

Music was non-stop with a wide selection of music styles in nine different performances. Two musical groups have bluegrass roots, Hesitant Squirrel and Sweetheart Mountain, yet each had it's own unique sound.

Hula hoops were spinning around on people of all ages. Adults and children took a spin and had surprised faces when they did rather well.  Small children liked rolling the hoops around the lawn, hoops taller than them.

Winners of the poster contest were announced and they are: First Place, Jennifer Charette, age 12 of Woodbury, CT; Second Place, Breanna Harding, age 13 of Woodbury, CT; Third Place, Benjamin Haggard (not present to receive award).

The late day drum circle drew people together as each person added their own beat.  Drums of all shapes and sizes were available as well as percussion instruments.  The drumming was upbeat but soothing at the same time, as it rolled into a natural rhythm with many hands expanding the beat to wherever it lead, no pre-chosen path. 

This Earth Day celebration might be described the same way, very relaxing.  It was perfect, and people lingered well past closing time.

I'd imagine everyone is looking forward to next year's 20th event!

See over 300 photos from this event on picturesbypaula.com