Hoards of hoola hoopers lazily scatter Thornden Park. Friends lounge in the grass listening to local bands and indulging in food truck fare. People intently focus on speakers discussing the importance of sustainability.

These are just a few of the sights to be excepted from this year’s Earthfest, an Earth Day-inspired event, which will take place Sunday, April 24 in the Thornden Park Amphitheater from noon to 6 p.m.

“Earthfest is a community-wide art and music festival that’s sustainably themed,” said Dana Wakeley, a junior advertising major and marketing director for Students of Sustainability. Students of Sustainability collaborated with the New York Public Interest Group and Syracuse University’s Sustainability Division to organize Earthfest.

Wakeley said part of Earthfest’s goal is to be “a catalyst for the local movement.”

Seven local music acts — The LNJ, Citrus Punch, SoulPlay, Pizza Party, Andy Polk, Justine Thompson and Gates & Kaplan — will perform throughout the day.

Matt Barba, a sophomore music industry major and head of artists and repertoire for Orange Music Group helped book the musicians for Earthfest. This is also the first year that Orange Music Group is participating in the event.

“I think also a large part of it is trying to bridge the gap between the SU community and the city community as well,” he added.

Part of the planning process for Barba included incorporating a diverse and talented group of musicians that “catch the ear” while people mill about among Thornden Park engaging with the other speakers and vendors.

Three food trucks from around the greater Syracuse area will be offering local options for a bite to eat throughout the day. Lady Bug Lunchbox and Toss ‘n’ Fire Wood-Fired Pizza are two new additions this year, joining The Flying Camel who has served up food in the past.

Some of the craft vendors scheduled for Earthfest include painters, jugglers and local vendors selling handmade items, among other sustainably themed tables. Local artist Yegor Mikushkin will be painting throughout the day, displaying his and other local artists’ art.

In addition to arts and food, many other vendors will be able to solicit their goods at the event. Michael Amadori owns Full Circle Feed, a local handmade dog treat business. He will have a table at Earthfest and be selling a variety of different canine treats.

Various local and student organizations will also be tabling in order to draw membership and attention to their groups. Some examples include the Sierra Club, BrainFeeders and Syracuse Grows.

Blair Horner, NYPIRG’s executive director, will be the day’s keynote speaker. She said the event is about raising awareness about local environmental issues while having a great time in a beautiful location. With more than 700 people interested in the event on Facebook she said she is hopeful for an “awesome turnout.”

Other speakers include members from Onondaga Nation, Students of Sustainability and Paul Otteson, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s Green Campus Initiative advisor.

Proceeds from the festival will help support Syracuse Grows, Gibson said, a local nonprofit whose mission is food justice through advocacy, education and resources in support of urban food production.

Alison Gibson, a public relations graduate student and intern for the Sustainability Division, described Earthfest as “a culmination of campus, both SU and ESF, and community participating together to celebrate Earth Day.”

Published on April 20, 2016 at 9:17 pm

Contact Danny: dmantoot@syr.edu