To the Editor:

The Earth Day celebration on Saturday was an enormous success, despite having to alter our plans and bring many of the vendors inside the gymnasium at the Middle School.

The yearly event, normally held on the front lawn of the school, helps celebrate our unique and diverse local ecology and is a beloved community event where the sharing of ideas is welcomed and palpable in discussions throughout the day. It is a day that brings together student environmental groups and local nonprofits and people of all walks, who come to learn about things, connect with friends, support locally owned businesses and organizations whom are all, in their own way, helping make our corner of the earth a bit more green. And did I mention the wonderful music throughout the day and a bird of prey demonstration?

After this 16th year, this festival felt like a bit of a watershed — literally and figuratively. Our board grew this year by four amazing new members and the feedback from folks in attendance was positive. I am so grateful for this team of dedicated committee members, and we are so thankful and enormously grateful to the community for showing up despite the weather and because of our love for Mother Earth. It is hopeful and powerful to gather and help be part of a gentler approach to living on this planet.

I also want to thank the Middle School staff, especially the custodial staff for their huge help in our last-minute gym occupation. Further, the Sandy Hook Fire Department for the enormous task of table transportation. All of the volunteers who showed up this year — thank you. Also, to all the businesses who gave items to our silent auction, thank you very much. A big thank you to our main sponsors Solara Solar, Associated Refuse, The Newtown Lions Club, Rankin Textile Printing, Newtown Parks and Recreation, WPKN radio, Alpha Graphics of Stamford, and a few anonymous donors.

Further, a special thank you to Jeff Capeci, our first selectman, for starting the day off by welcoming attendees and reminding us how our town is making strides in environmental awareness and efficiencies.

Each year the Earth Day Committee proudly provides a scholarship to a prospective student entering the environmental studies or related fields. This is a big reason why we show up each year and why we look forward to next year’s event. If you would like to learn more about our event or learn how to take part, please visit us at Newtownearthday.org. Until next year, stay green and let’s take care of our mother, she is the only one we have.

Thank you Newtown.

Dan Holmes

Newtown