Earth Day Kids Fest Comes to Roswell on Saturday

When “powers combine,” Earth Day Kids Fest is the result; and there is no telling all the good that can happen when kids get inspired.

For the fifth year at the Chattahoochee Nature Center here in Roswell, the Captain Planet Foundation and CNC will host the Saturday, April 16.

The event encourages children of all ages to live “eco-friendly” and become good stewards of the planet.

“We think the kids are amazing, sometimes, they know more than we give them credit for,” said Lynn McIntyre, senior director of community relations for CNC. “Most of us sense they are aware of the planet in ways that we never were. Parents tell us that it is their children who tell them to turn off the faucet when they are brushing their teeth and remind them not to litter, to compost and recycle whenever they can and they take the lessons we teach to heart.”

For kids, an event like Earth Day only furthers the inspiration to live “green.” Hands-on activities, live performances and “edutainment” are all part of making sure they have a fun afternoon while learning how to take care of the environment.

“Young minds are very impressionable,” McIntyre said. “They connect to great ideas that are in their own best interest and being ‘green’ is in fashion with youth today.” 

Children of all ages will enjoy taking a photo with the superhero himself, Captain Planet, watching a few episodes of “Captain Planet and the Planeteers” in the Cowie Weiss Theater, helping to plant a garden, watching live wildlife demonstrations and taking a canoe out for a paddle on the pond. But Mom and Dad shouldn’t feel left out, they can bring in their old cell phones, corks, shoes and ink cartridges to be recycled and take a stroll around the Eco-Village.

“Through this collaboration [between CNC and the Captain Planet Foundation], our two teams work together for months in advance and showcase a number of other eco partners,” said McIntyre. “This makes for a superb festival.”

Over 30 vendors will set up in the Eco Village, including:

• Freshens, stop by to get a free smoothie.
• Fulton County Public Works , offering hands-on, educational craft activity related to water quality/water conservation.
• Gift N’ Green , selling products that are reusable, recyclable, multipurpose, educational organic, biodegradable and also eco chic.
• Primrose School of Roswell, making bird feeders from water bottles.

McIntyre expects between 1,000-1,400 people to attend the event, dependant upon the weather.

Pulling off an event of this kind takes a mutual environmental passion. The partnership between Captain Planet Foundation and CNC goes back prior to the event’s move from Atlanta to Roswell in 2006, to when the nature center had a booth at the Earth Day Kids Fest downtown.

“We have a close working relationship with Laura Turner Seydel [chairman of the foundation] and the entire team at the Captain Planet Foundation,” McIntyre said.

Seydel, daughter of CNN founder Ted Turner, is known for her work with environmental organizations and for founding the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Fund. She has often joined forces with CNC on important environmental endeavors.

The event takes place this Saturday, April 16, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd.

Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for children and children under two are free. Riding a bike from home will get you in for free. Carpooling is requested since parking is limited. However, a complimentary shuttle bus service from near the corner of Willeo Road and Azalea Drive is available.