Bethel Celebrates Earth Day This Saturday

Bethel Community Earth Day 2024, set for Saturday, April 20, is a two-part event: Trashapalooza, a neighborhood trash cleanup, and an Earth Day Fair on the Municipal Lawn on School Street. Those who come out to volunteer and celebrate will receive free raffle tickets and a chance to win prizes donated by local businesses. The event is sponsored by the Sustainable Bethel Commission, Bethel Parks and Recreation and Bethel Land Trust.

Trashapalooza is from 10 a.m. to noon, with a rain date of April 21. Clean-up volunteers should check in on the Municipal Lawn to register for any of 20 routes and to receive trash bags and other supplies. The Earth Day Fair is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Municipal Lawn rain or shine; it will move inside the Municipal Building in case of rain. The fair will feature games and live musical performances by local bands. On display will be EV vehicles, cargo delivery bikes and EV chargers. Several local businesses and organizations will have educational demonstrations and tables, including the University of Connecticut Community Garden, Bethel Library, Bethel Garden Club and the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority, among others.

“Bethel Community Earth Day highlights the Sustainable Bethel Commission’s vision to create a thriving and resilient community that integrates environmental, economic and social sustainability,” said Kathryn Hebert, commission chairman. “Our mission is to support the Town of Bethel in achieving its sustainability goals through collaborative planning, education and action. We welcome input from everyone in the community. Please contact us at sustainablebethel@bethel-ct.gov . And come out to celebrate Earth Day next Saturday!”