Earth Fest: Oxford’s personal celebration of Earth Day
“Awareness and education is the first step in sustainability and conservation and making our Earth the best it can be … and it's important to be appreciative and see all the amazing things that our community can do when we come together.”
Miami Environmental Professionals Association (MEPA), a professional development club for students interested in the environmental field at Miami University, hosted Earth Fest April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Park.
The festival celebrated Earth Day with live music, over 30 local organizations – including Miami clubs and Oxford vendors, churches and eco-groups – food trucks, raffle prizes, games and inflatables.
Lily Rueckhaus, a junior botany, individualized studies, and food systems and food studies triple-major, serves as the director of marketing and social media for MEPA, and she's also the incoming president for next year. She also participated in the Earth Fest planning committee.
Rueckhaus said they’ve been planning all year. She helped design t-shirts and posters, managed social media, distributed flyers to different communities, partnered with organizations and coordinated with local businesses and musicians.
“I was excited to see everyone celebrate our Earth on this beautiful day,” Rueckhaus said.
Over 30 Oxford organizations line up to share information about the Earth. Photo by Caitlin O’Brien.
Adia Eagle, a fourth-year industrial design student at the University of Cincinnati, traveled to Oxford to support her friend who helped plan the event. She got a native plant for her brother’s birthday for free at Earth Fest.
“It’s important to keep advocating for the Earth and our environment, and reduce our impact on waste,” Eagle said. “And also to actively try to make an impact with our time and money.”
Matthew Shuppert, a junior geography, sustainable development, and urban and regional planning triple-major, heard about Earth Fest in one of his classes.
“It’s really important to raise awareness … and especially with what the city of Oxford is doing as well,” Schupert said. “Learning about that and how they’re taking steps forward towards a more sustainable future is really nice to know.”
Anne Haffer, assistant to the chair of the psychology department, walked Uptown with her children to the farmer’s market and saw the festival. She said Earth Fest and Earth Day are important to spread awareness and remind people to take care of their home.
“Awareness and education is the first step in sustainability and conservation and making our Earth the best it can be,” Rueckhaus said. “And it's important to be appreciative and see all the amazing things that our community can do when we come together.”
