Ferris State University will celebrate Earth day with a series of events that aim to help inspire awareness about our planet.
The Professional Recreation Association (PRA) and Ferris Recyclers will be teaming up to put on a series of events that will span over April 19 and 20. The event series is called Celebrate Earth Day! and will kick off in the campus quad on Monday. Earth Day itself is actually April 22.
“This year I wanted to work with PRA to be a more integral part of Earth Day,” said Angela Eick, Ferris Recyclers president. “It just makes sense that we would be involved in helping celebrate the day on campus with an event.”
“Celebrate Earth Day! is a chance for people of all walks of life to come together to show our appreciation for Planet Earth,” said Leah Tandy, member of PRA.
One of the Earth Day events is a free concert featuring the band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin on April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Rankin Dome Room. Ferris student Ryan Carignan will be opening for the group. This event is free and the genre of the band is Indie pop.
“I think music is a great means to bring people together so a concert is a perfect event to celebrate Earth Day,” said Eick.
There will also be free tie-dying on April 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the quad. You must bring your own item to dye.
On April 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Dome Room there will be live music, kids activities, photos from the Great Lakes Environmental Film Festival, posters from the Michigan Energy Conference, local business tables, and live animals.
“Overall, this event involves Ferris students and the Big Rapids community in activities that will raise awareness about conservation and what they can do to help the environment and reduce their carbon footprint,” said Tandy.
There will also be a Trashion Fashion Show on April 20 from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Dome Room. Participants will wear outfits and accessories made out of recycled materials.
“Earth Day is definitely important for us to acknowledge and celebrate because the Earth needs protection and it can’t help itself,” said Eick. “We are always trying to spread awareness about protecting our Earth and how recycling is a way you can do your part.”
Eick added that Ferris Recyclers has been working hard to make recycling accessible to those who don’t get it picked up or have access to it. The Recyclers are trying to expand their efforts and be able to give students access to recycling all across campus at all times.
These organizations hope to call attention to the fact that we need to do things to help the planet everyday, not just on Earth Day.
“The best way to learn how to take care of our Earth is to have fun and we will make this happen by providing two days of learning, engagement, and entertainment for students and community members of all ages,” said Tandy. “This event is a great opportunity to help people understand the simple things they can do locally to make a
difference.” n