Westfield Green Team Announces Earth Day Festivities for May 4
Day-long celebration caps a month of Earth-focused events in town
The Town of Westfield will hold its largest Earth Day celebration ever, including the town’s first Free Market, on Saturday, May 4 from 8am-3pm at the South Avenue Train Station Lot. These events, coordinated by the Westfield Green Team, are part of the Town’s Earth Month celebration, the aim of which is to assist residents in adopting more sustainable practices and taking steps to address climate change.
“We hope to engage, educate, inform and entertain with all of our Earth Month activities,” said Kirti Malik, who spearheaded the celebration of Earth Month for the Westfield Green Team. “And we hope all Westfield residents attend because there are so many opportunities to learn, get involved and have some fun for those of all ages.”
The Earth Day celebration will feature more than ten activities/educational exhibits on sustainability, including a Green Vendor Fair where attendees can meet a variety of organizations and companies that offer solutions to help each of us live more “green.” The Free Market is like a giant yard sale — except everything is free. Westfield residents can bring gently used household items — such as clothing, housewares, sporting goods, books/movies, kitchenware, small furniture and more — leave them for others to take, and take anything that is left by others.
There will be many giveaways at the event, including hundreds of Westfield’s first-ever official reusable shopping bags, reusable stainless steel straws, and tree saplings. Plus, attendees can obtain coupons for free bagels, pizza, reusable water bottles, coffee and more from local businesses including Manhattan Bagel, Outta Hand Pizza, Westfield Station Cafe, Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery, and Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe. In addition, Jay’s Cycle Center will be raffling off bells and reusable water bottles for any elementary school-aged attendee who bikes to the event.
Activities for the whole family include:
- Kid’s craft: Children can bring a used t-shirt and learn how to turn it into a reusable bag.
- Activism table: Sign a “No Idling” pledge and send postcards to companies that are heavy plastic polluters.
- Group meditation: Join Brassy Buddha in a short meditation at 10am and 1pm to thank the Earth for all of its riches, and create a moment of mindfulness and goal setting.
- Educational exhibits: Learn how to minimize food waste and what items can be recycled at the Westfield Conservation Center.
After the event, attendees are encouraged to walk around Downtown Westfield and visit the many businesses that have pledged to be more eco-friendly through efforts that include turning their lights off and only giving out single-use plastics upon request. Participating businesses include Limani Seafood Grill, Boxwoods, Jag One PT and Prospect 16.
For more information, and to view a full schedule of events and list of permissible Free Market items, please visit www.westfieldnj.gov/earthmonth.
