Join us from 10am-4pm on Saturday, April 19 for an All About Earth Day celebration at the Downtown Market.
Earth Day may be April 22, but on April 19, we are hosting fun activities that celebrate our favorite planet (Earth)! Enjoy FREE physical activities, recycled art and fashion, nature (yes even bugs!), children’s activities, and crafts happening throughout the Market.
You can’t spell EARTH without EAT! Make sure you grab a bite from the Market Hall before you head home.
ALL ABOUT EARTH DAY SCHEDULE:
Free Physical Activities in the outdoor Market Shed (No pre-registration required)
11:15am-12pm | POUND with Janna Silva
Using Ripstix® (available for use during class), lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, POUND® transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out. Instead of listening to music, you become the music in this exhilarating full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning and strength training with yoga and Pilates-inspired movements. Designed for all fitness levels, POUND® provides the perfect atmosphere for letting loose, getting energized, toning up and rockin’ out! The workout is easily modifiable, and the alternative vibe and welcoming philosophy appeals to men and women of all ages and abilities. Ripstix provided. Bring your yoga mat (mat provided if needed). Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
12:15 pm-1 pm | YOGA w/Sara Robb
Discover your inner yogi in a class that builds strength and body awareness. Begin with gentle stretching and move to flowing through and holding poses. Class will come to a restful end. Bring yoga mat (mat provided if needed). Participants must be 18 years of age or older.
Recycled Fun in the second floor Banquet Room
10am-4pm | Recycled Art Exhibit
I Heart Recycled Art is a juried art exhibition featuring two-dimensional and three-dimensional art pieces created by Michigan artists and curated by Cocoon Art Space. The art pieces in this exhibit are created out of found objects, botanical remnants and repurposed materials. This style of art requires an artist to first look at things differently. “How can I reuse this material?” Once their vision is realized, they make time to collect or save the materials for their project. Next they must prepare the materials by cutting, sanding, restoring, treating or painting the substance. Finally they implement the non-traditional art materials into their process of making an original piece of art. It is a very mindful form of art that requires acute creativity, concise planning, patience and skill.
10am-4pm | Curated Sustainable Fashion Contest
Guests can check out and vote for their favorite outfits curated by local vintage/thrift stores including Decaydence Vintage, OTONO, Second Vibess and The August Connection. The winning outfit’s shop will receive a $25 Downtown Market gift certificate as will one guest who voted for the shop.
Nature in the second floor Greenhouse
10am-1pm | Birds, Bees, and more!
Blandford Nature Center will be showcasing a variety of birds which help with insect control and seed distribution as well as bat taxidermy (bats are also excellent at insect control)!
Casa La Parrot will be showcasing a variety of parrots which help with insect control and seed distribution.
Kope Apiaries will have live bees on hand as well as education about these important pollinators.
West Michigan Wildlife Center will have earth-friendly critters.
Michigan Science Center will be doing earth-friendly activities with guests. (10am-4pm)
1pm-4pm | Isopods and Pollinators
VI Pets will have many species of Isopods for guests to check out! Isopods consume decaying plant and animal matter, depositing their pellets back into the soil to enrich it for plants. They also improve drainage and are a food source for other organisms.
Thornapple Woodlands will have worker bees on display so guests can view these great pollinators up close! Please note that if the day proves too cold, the bees will have to stay home warm in their hive!
Children’s Activities in the second floor Greenhouse
While supplies last | Plants, Pots, and Puzzles
Seed germination with pinto beans.
Collage a miniature pot.
Tracing hands to hold the Earth.
Greenhouse scavenger hunt.
Earth-friendly crossword puzzles and word searches, emoji pictionary and coloring pages.
