Art Blooms Earth Festival Returns Saturday

Want to learn about recycling, gardening or conservation efforts?

Cherry Hill’s fourth annual Earth Festival at Croft Farm Saturday will have all that and more, in a celebration of arts, culture, health, wellness, and environmental education.

The annual festival, put together by the township, Sustainable Cherry Hill and the Cherry Hill Arts Board is focused on getting residents involved in building a sustainable community, Sustainable Cherry Hill’s Lori Braunstein said.

“Many more people are working to carry out sustainability efforts in their everyday lives,” Braunstein said. “We’ll have a water truck so visitors can refill their own water bottles. We are trying to achieve zero waste by composting all food scraps and recycling as much as possible using student volunteers as waste monitors. Our food service providers and vendors are using as much eco-friendly packaging and serving products as possible, while dozens of our Cherry Hill students from the 19 schools will have thoughtful displays showing how character and sustainability are partners in a great community.”

The festival kicks off Art Blooms Weeks in the township, which includes a juried art exhibit, concerts and other events from April 27 through May 11, and Mayor Chuck Cahn lauded the cooperation between organizations to make the festival happen.

“Combining the township’s efforts to protect and preserve our environment and promote wellness, while making the arts affordable and accessible to our population allows us to present a festival that is open to everyone,” said Cahn.

New this year is electronics recycling with Magnum Computer Recycling, which will take everything from computers to old cell phones at a recycling station at the festival entrance.

There’ll also be collection areas for batteries and hangers, and a drop-off for gently used shoes through Soles 4 Soles. Cherry Hill Food Outreach Council volunteers will also take donations of nonperishable food to help more than 450 families who visit the township’s food pantry every month.

For the full schedule of the day's events, check out the 2013 Art Blooms Earth Festival Schedule.