Earth Day event in the city ‘more of a celebration’ Saturday

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Hundreds came out to a lively celebration of Earth Day Saturday afternoon in downtown Owen Sound.

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It offered a mix of entertainment, information and a chance for the community to gather, which COVID-19 restrictions haven’t permitted much in the last two years.

Kids drew coloured chalk drawings and joined tug-of-war challenges and people packed the vendors’ wing of the market building, filled with eco-themed information booths.

There was live music and a parade around the block joined by an estimated 200 people on what became a sunny, pleasant afternoon.

“I’ve been coming to Earth Day events in Owen Sound for a few years,” said David Beverly-Foster, a musician and environmental advocate. “And before they felt like protests; we’re kind of marching through the streets. And this feels very different.”

“It’s like the whole community coming together. It’s more of a celebration.”

Earlier, he and other musicians with the Saugeen Sound Conspiracy played an acoustic version of Neil Young’s Rockin’ in the Free World. Mostly maskless people were chatting and laughing and walking about in a way that seemed relaxed.

The event began with an Indigenous water ceremony on the Queen’s Park side of the Sydenham River, and closed with a concert by Coco Love Alcorn and Drew McIvor, followed by ceremonial Indigenous drumming.

Volunteers with the Grey Bruce Climate Action Network organized the event, which involved more than 30 volunteers. One was Danuta Valleau, who said the idea was to create a fair-like atmosphere, to educate and encourage conversations.

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It was celebratory, with a protection of endangered species parade theme, featuring professional puppet players, some wearing jumbo-sized paper mâché heads and costumes, while a purple shark, colourful dragon fly and other mâché figures were handed out to carry.

The concert was intended to bring in people to the event who might otherwise not have come, to broaden the potential to involve more people in a bid to raise awareness, including about the need to decarbonize the Earth, which is heating up.

“We don’t want to just be talking to ourselves,” Valleau said.

Ashley Nicholson, of Owen Sound, said she learned a lot about composting and planting sees in the vendor area. She came to the event with her six-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, and boyfriend.

Josh and Morgan Lobsinger attended with their daughter, Addison, 2 1/2, who sat on the pavement, drawing with chalk. They’re from Woodstock, visiting Josh’s dad, Tim Lobsinger. “It’s important to me to maintain sustainability,” Josh said.

Matthew Allard and his family drove from Elmira to attend the event in support of a friend who helped organize it. His family has made small changes to have less impact on the planet.

They use chewable tablet substitutes for toothpaste, which uses biodegradable packaging and avoids the plastic tube, and they heat with high-efficiency natural gas, with “smart” sensors to save energy when heating or cool rooms.

Mike Dieter volunteered to pick up cigarette butts and other garbage along the banks of the Sydenham. The local landlord said he has installed extra insulation and upgraded the efficiency of his rental housing using government incentives.

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He’s also a volunteer with Owen Sound Waste Watchers, a group which helps collect cigarette butts for recycling by TerraCycle’s facility in Fergus.

A man who sat on a bench, who preferred not to say his name, said he notices changes in the climate but said the climate changes all the time anyway. “I don’t have the answers. I don’t know how to save it. I’m just along for the ride.”

Marilyn Struthers, of the Grey Bruce Climate Action Network, said the group is a way for people to learn more about climate action and do something about it. The group’s members visit municipal councils to encourage environmental awareness.

“There’s a lot they can do but there’s also some lack of awareness maybe.”

Struthers moderates monthly Zoom meetings involving groups in Blue Mountains, Collingwood, Georgian Bluffs, Grey Highlands, Meaford, Northern Bruce Peninsula, Owen Sound, Saugeen Shores, Wasaga Beach ad West Grey.

She said she was “so pleased” with the community’s enthusiasm for the event. Another organizer estimated 500 or 600 people attended it.

“I think what it does is demonstrate that this community really cares about climate action,” Struthers said. That’s something municipal governments can consider when making climate-impacting decisions, she said.

Struthers can be reached at mstruthers@ryerson.ca.