Earth Fair: Music and the Environment, In Concert

A month ago, I  about bringing a green-themed film fest to the area. After visiting Saturday's Earth Fair, I rescind my offer. Turns out we already had a first-class environmental event within county lines all this time.

This was the first time I attended the outdoor fair, and it surpassed my expectations. Sponsored by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the event was met with welcomed sunshine, though mugginess came in tow. Held at the sprawling grounds of Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton, the free-to-attend affair nicely blended green education into a cultured atmosphere.

Joyce Goldsmith, Earth Fair coordinator, was responsible for the event's success.

"I am very pleased with this year's event—especially with our 'Back to Our Roots' theme: culturally, musically and environmentally," Goldsmith said.

In addition to more than 100 vendors and nonprofit exhibitors, the glue that bound the day's activities together was music. Two stages played host to eight bands ranging in style from the faith-based vocals of the Capitol City Gospel Singers, to the New Orleans jazz sounds of the Alvin Jacques Band.

It was no coincidence that such a great lineup fell into place. The assemblage is part of a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian Museum called "New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music." Including bluegrass, country blues, Cajun, folk and interactive storytelling, the collaborative certainly delivered.

"Since the exhibit was here during the Earth Fair event, we had much more entertainment than in the past," Goldsmith said. "It was all wonderful."

That entertainment wasn't just for the grown-ups. A variety of kids activities combined learning about ecology with some hands-on fun—especially when those hands are petting animals. 

"Kids always love the organizations that have animals.  So there were always a crowd of kids—of all ages—around Discovery Lizards, the Bug Lady, Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge's owls, and Rancocas Nature Center's snakes and other animals." Goldsmith added, "The 4-H clubs had their bunnies, chickens, ferrets, etc., for people to see and touch."

Other children's activities included face-painting, environmentally themed puppet shows, and a Musical "Made From Trash" Playground that upcycled items into playable musical instruments. 

While the whole day was wrapped in fun, a lot of learning was accomplished as well. The EZ-2-B-GRN exhibit was in constant demand. A tent housed 14 stations, each staffed by experts who covered topics like recycling, backyard composting, water conservation and the importance of buying from local farmers.

Goldsmith summed up the  exercises: "It's the simple things that anyone can do without it costing anything, but maybe a lifestyle change. Any person or household can do it."  

That lesson permeated the fair—it's encouraged to mix a little fun into the imperative message of leading a sustainable lifestyle. 

And despite all the fun, some work got done to boot. Just up the road at Smith's Woods was the Recycling Stop & Drop, where collection specialists unloaded cars full of aged electronics, and boxes of paper to be shredded.

And so, the Earth Fair came off without a hitch—as can be attested by the more than 6,000 attendees to the 18th annual event. The take-away? Be sure not to miss the 19th.