Earth Day
April 25, 2009
The Kent County Humane Society, the Town of Chestertown, and the Center for Environment & Society at Washington College collaborated on this year's Mutt Strut and Earth Day Festival in downtown Chestertown on April 25.
There was live music in the Park, eco-friendly exhibitors and vendors on Memorial Row, a petting zoo, and a variety of pet and Earth Day activities on both lawns of the Kent County Courthouse. Washington College students featured face-painting, t-shirt tie-dye, and a coloring contest with frogs, fishes, and butterflies. Downtown merchants and eateries were open, the Chestertown Elks #2474 grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and Rose Greene of Church Hill fired up the griddles for funnel cake and fried fish.
The popular Farmers' Market was also underway that morning, as was the Town's "green window" and meter decorating contests. As part of its Chestertown Goes Green campaign, the Town arranged free services for paper shredding and recycling of fluorescent bulbs and tubes that Saturday.
The Mutt Strut and Pet Fair is the spring fund-raiser for the local Humane Society. "Proceeds go toward the animal shelter and the care of the animals waiting for new homes," says Dr. David Newell, chair of the board of trustees.
View photos from last year's celebration.
The winners for the 2009 George Gets Ingenious competition was also announced at Earth Day. Congratulations to Nicolas Bash '10! You can view his entry and all the other great ideas for sustainability here.
View photos of creative energy conservation from this year’s George Goes Green.
Click to enlarge photos.
View more photos of puppies on parade!
The day started off with the Humane Society's annual Mutt Strut.
Many dogs wear green bandanas to show support for Earth Day.
Alyse Bensel '10 paints the face of Becky Bowen '12.
The Rotary Club's Chestertown Goes Green booth.
Samantha Bulkilvish '09 and Allie Borden '10 help kids make Earth Day themed pinwheels at the Student Environmental Alliance (SEA) table.
Staff Archaelogist Liz Seidel shows off a selection from the Women In Need store.
Jennifer Pollard of the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy pauses for a moment to say hello to one of the dogs.
Liz Leipold '11 and Donna Weaver '11 color at the CES table.
Kids of all ages took the time to hula hoop in Fountain Park.
Liz Leipold '11 blows bubbles.
Students Marta Wesenberg '12, Kelly Topita '11 and Erin Gray '11 try out the hula hoops.
Sam Bulkilvish '09 and Carl Gallegos stand next to the Green Sanctuary booth.
Ryan Coulson '09, Faith Erline '09 and Erin Harrison '09 enjoy the perfect weather.
Ryan Coulson '09 and Erin Harrison '09 visit with one of the shelter dogs.
Director of CES John Seidel talks about the Chesapeake Semester with a festival visitor.
Jess Hobbs '09 and Lillian Muir '11 soak up the sun.
Students enjoy the music in Fountain Park.
Professor Brian Scott tries out a hula hoop.
Web Editor Shane Brill '03 tries out a hula hoop.
Lydia Powell '12 walks a shelter dog in the parade.
Even a guinea pig joined in the parade.
Festival goers also enjoyed the regular Saturday Farmer's Market.
Leah Sbriscia '12, Emily Hordesky '12 and Kelsey Hallowell '12 man the Service Council Empty Bowls booth to raise money for the local food pantry.
Climate Action Coordinator Briggs Cunningham stands near the CES table.
Andrea Roth '10 helps with the coloring.
Mayor Margo Bailey and her granddaughter Gretta show off their matching facepaint.
CES Program Manager JoAnn Fairchild demonstrates how to grow your own food at the CES booth.
Rob Sentman '08 and Maureen Sentman '10 represent the WAC Ducks Unlimited booth.
Aileen Brenner '09 and Mac Boyle '10 celebrate spring at Earth Day.
Caryn Donophan '05 holds up her dog.
Liz Leipold '11 and Alex Sobotka '10 show off their skills.
Kate Towson '09 holds one of the kittens up for adoption.
Courtney Phelps of the Humane Society MCs the pet contests.
Lauren Myers-Bromwell '09 hula hoops.
Professor Brian Scott and his son stop by the SEA table.
The Took rocks Earth Day for the fourth year in a row.
Dr. Leslie Sherman and her kids prepare to make pinwheels.
Rebecca Pitre and other town members finished out the day with country and bluegrass music.
