Burlington County Recycling Fair Set For Sunday

Burlington County’s popular Earth Fair returns to Historic Smithville Park this weekend. The annual event features “green” vendors, environmental displays and eco-friendly entertainment on Sunday, June 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“This annual event allows visitors to appreciate the beauty of Smithville Park all while learning new ways to be environmentally friendly. There is something for the entire family to enjoy,” Burlington County Freeholder Deputy Director Singh, liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation, said. “If you have confidential documents to shred, bring them along and take advantage of our popular document shredding from at Smith’s Woods during the event.”

This year’s Earth Fair looks at the latest technological innovations in conservation. In the sustainable living tent, visitors can learn about the advantages of electric cars or pick up LED bulbs for their home. LED bulbs are available for a small fee, while supplies last.

The recycling tent includes a recycling trivia wheel. Contestants will win prizes for their knowledge about recycling. Residents can also download the county’s RecycleCoach app, which will keep them aware of when their recycling day is and help them become a better recycler. It is available on iTunes and GooglePlay app stores for Burlington County residents.

In Life That Glows, residents can step into a dark room with a special UV flashlight to discover plants, invertebrates, and mushrooms that glow. Demonstrations take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

WHYY’s Mike McGrath, host of “You Bet Your Garden” takes over the main event tent at 1 p.m. McGrath shares his wit, humor and extraordinary knowledge about gardening in “Attracting Pollinators and other Beneficial Beasts to you Beds.” Representatives from Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge can also be found in the event tent talking about predators and prey in nature.

Residents can make their own rain barrel to keep their garden green this summer while conserving water. The rain barrel workshop is 10:30 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is required by contacting Mike.haberland@njaes.rutgers.edu.

The Medford Memorial Middle School students want to increase scientific literacy through their Citizen Science Education Program. The students’ advisor, Vicky Gorman, is the recipient of the NJ Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching.

The new Franklin Institute’s Travelling Science Show, allows guests to explore states of matter as a molecule and challenge ideas of what is hot and cold. Guests will see balloons shrink, bubbles freeze, and a rubber ball shatter by using liquid nitrogen (N2). There will also be an interactive display on electricity, featuring experiments such as the Van de Graaff generator, plasma balls, jumping rings, and the Tesla coil.

Earth Fair will also include a vortex cannon, 3D printers, and Ozo bots. Mr. Bond’s Science Guys will have fun with bubbling potions, chemical reactions, and explosions. Meteorologist John Marshall will teach residents about being a weather forecaster in the Billiard Room.

Denise Sullivan, Chris Westfall, SuperLemonade, Green Planet Band, and Marc Berger are among the musical guests lined up for the fair.

Kids’ entertainment will include an obstacle course, rock wall, magic shows and more. Food trucks will be selling festival fare.

Confidential document shredding will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Smith’s Woods on East Railroad Avenue.

The Friends of the Mansion at Smithville will offer tours of the Smithville Mansion for a small donation of $5 per person. Visitors can also tour the Underground Railroad Museum and take in exhibits at the Worker’s House Gallery and Annex Gallery.

For more information, visit the Parks Department website at www.co.burlington.nj.us/parks. Smithville Park is located at 803 Smithville Road in Eastampton. The event is rain or shine and free to the public.