Port Washington Public Library Earth Day Celebration & Concert

The Port Washington Public Library is proud to continue their April tradition of bringing awareness to climate change issues and environmental conservation in honor of Earth Day with an outdoor, socially distant celebration and concert at the John Phillip Sousa Bandshell located at Sunset Park on Sunday, April 25, 2021 from 2:00pm-4:30pm. Residents are invited to bring their clean #5 plastics for collection and recycling by the Town of North Hempstead as well as visit several tables to learn more about “going green” and protecting our environment. Rain date: Sunday, May 2nd

PWPL’s resident musicologist and Media Librarian Tony Traguardo will lead a band of local musicians in a swinging two-hour concert of well-known rock and roll hits all with “a message about the earth and conservation.” Dancing is highly encouraged.

Meagan Fastuca from the Town of North Hempstead’s Department of Planning & Environmental Protection will be on-site to encourage Port Washington Residents to register for the town’s rain barrel and composter sales as well as speak about other programs, like monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation. Michael Kelly, Executive Director the Town of North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority will be in attendance to dispel common recycling myths and speak with attendees about proper waste collection and recycling practices. Kelly will also be the lead speaker for Residents Forward and PWPL’s upcoming virtual program on Wednesday, April 28 at 7pm, “Recycling 101.” (Zoom information at PWPL.org/events.)

The Library will be giving away complimentary protective face masks, reusable bags, wipes, hand sanitizer, raffles, giveaways, and other surprises (while supplies last). The Library will also be collaborating with Plant A Row for the Hungry Port Washington and ReWild Long Island to raise awareness about native plants and the benefits of vegetable gardening. Library staff and volunteers will continually monitor Sunset Park to ensure attendees are practicing social distancing and wearing face masks correctly. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the concert is free to the public and more information may be found at www.PWPL.org/earthday (Rain date: Sunday May 2).

For those who cannot attend the performance and still want to participate in this Earth Day celebration, PWPL is creating a testimonial tribute video which will be cataloged in the Local History Archive as well as sent along to local legislators. Denise Anchico, Research Librarian and Co-Chair of the Earth Day Committee states, “This is a great opportunity for Port Residents to get their voice heard and make an impact.”

Port Washington residents are encouraged to take one minute to film and submit their own video responses to the questions below no later than April 26.

• Testimonial Question 1: What recent activities or actions have you or your family done to reduce your carbon footprint or your environmental impact? For example, walking or biking instead of driving, choosing a more sustainable plant-based diet, avoiding single use items in favor of reusable items.
• Testimonial Question 2: What environmental law would you pass if you had the power to do so?

Visit PWPL.org/earthday for more information and to record your testimonial.