EarthDay@Loudoun 2009 Educates and Inspires Thousands by Tracy T. Gilliam
The beautiful Broadlands area of Northern Virginia was host to Loudoun County’s first annual Earth Day event on Saturday, April 26th. The temperature rose to nearly 95 degrees on the bright, gorgeous summer-like day, but it didn’t detract visitors from throughout the DC Metro area from attending. Event organizers expected 500 attendees for its inaugural event and instead the four-hour festival attracted more than 2,000 from Loudoun County and surrounding areas.
Broadlands Wildlife Habitat Committee Co-Chair Lori Seidmeyer said the event surpassed all expectations, “Our goal was to ensure families and attendees had a great time and that they left Earth Day with something they can do at home to make a difference in the environment. I believe we have more than accomplished that goal.”
Earth Day at Loudoun 2009 was located at Clyde’s Willow Creek Farm and featured more than 70 exhibitors, interactive booths, a farmer’s market, live music and various animal attractions. The Raptor Conservancy of Virginia, Leesburg Animal Park, Reptiles Alive!, the National Aquarium of Washington, D.C. and Animal Ambassadors served as the backdrop for the children’s area of the event. Tucked deep inside the Van Metre owned nature preserve, families enjoyed the live animal exhibits and the presentations that took center stage to further inform and educate people of all ages.
“We really wanted to educate the public at an early age about ways they can make a difference in our communities. Gaining a better understanding of nature, animals, and products we use and consume each day, all make us better citizens and protectors of our environment,” stated Joe Coleman, the President of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, one of the largest Loudoun environmental organizations.
Loudoun County Board Supervisors Stevens Miller and Andrea McGimsey celebrated Earth Day by attending this event. They, along with Loudoun County School Board Chairman Robert DuPree, presented Co-Chairs Lori Seidmeyer and Oya Simpson with an Earth Day Resolution recently passed by the board.
Hundreds of spectators crowded around the concert stage to enjoy music many described as “rockin’.” Bands from The School of Rock and the local group, Traktion, literally rocked the meadow while Celtic Marc and the Jazz Combo softened the sound as the Earth Day festivities drew to a close.
Organizers are already excited about plans in the works for next year. They are encouraging potential exhibitors and sponsors to reserve a space early by contacting them at info@earthdayatloudoun.org for 2010.
