6,000-Plus Gather for Earth-Arbor Day Fest

More than 6,000 people celebrated Santa Clarita’s 24th Earth Arbor Day Saturday in Central Park by creating crafts, playing games and learning how to stay green at various informational booths.

“We have many craft activities that kids and families can do together,” said Jenni Shadle, arts and events coordinator with the city of Santa Clarita. “It was a wonderful day.”

Shadle said people typically enjoy the free trees and mulch the most and that there were over 60 vendors including eco-friendly organizations such as the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment.

Besides eating at food trucks, climbing a rock wall and watching live bands, families were entertained by dozens of booths offering everything from ladybugs to decorated grocery bags posing as hats.

Independent artists Paula Dwyer and her partner Janis Doukakis, also a teaching artist at Cedarcreek elementary, helped people decorate grocery bags with recycled bows and ribbons to create custom hats.

Three models also displayed outfits they had made from recycled CDs, plastic silverware, recycled fabrics, among other elements.

“It’s an educational tool to teach kids and it’s really exciting, we’re very passionate about recycled art,” Dwyer said.

Another favorite among children seemed to be the free ladybugs offered to those brave enough to fish them out of a large box.

“We are giving them ladybugs to bring home to their gardens because they eat aphids, which eat nutrients from plants,” said Deborah Gunther, member of the city of Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events office.

Volunteer organizer and Human Resources supervisor Susana Coronel said 175 people volunteered to help with the event and 125 of them planted trees around Central park and in the community garden.

6,000-Plus Gather for Earth-Arbor Day Fest