Celebrate Earth Day with recycling, music, games

On Saturday, April 23, the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County will once again co-sponsor the countywide Earth Day Celebration with the McHenry County Conservation District from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake.

The event, held both indoors and out, will go on rain or shine.

A regular service provided by the Defenders at this annual event is the opportunity for people to bring in hard-to-recycle items. With the help of their partner, Chicago Logistic Services, the Defenders will accept electronics and small appliances, microwaves must be clean, no smoke detectors, no medical devices, no console TVs; clean Styrofoam, packing peanuts, re-useable Bubble Wrap, Christmas lights, fluorescent tubes, athletic shoes, clothing, VHS tapes, CDs, cassettes, and household batteries will also be collected. A donation is requested to offset the costs of recycling these items.

There will be live music, including performances by Ken Lonnquist with Dave Adler at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., as well as guided nature hikes, puppet shows, games and crafts, and more than 20 environmental exhibitors.

Food and beverage vendors on site include Toasty Cheese & Pop's Premier Kettle Corn, or bring your own "no waste" picnic lunch.

Carpool to the event with friends to enter the raffle for a free picnic shelter reservation.

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a nonprofit citizen organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. Recycling activities began almost from the organization's inception, because it was one of the best ways to handle the growing solid waste problem. It also served as a source of funds for the group's educational activities. For more information on the Defenders, visit www.mcdef.org.