Have you watched a television commercial lately that deals with a company’s drive to conserve energy? If you’ve cruised your favorite home improvement store in the past year have you noticed bright yellow energy efficient stickers on every major appliance haven’t you? When you last picked up a product in the grocery store did it boast its eco friendly status? Have you purchased a greeting card made of recycled paper? If you’ve nodded in agreement to any of these questions you have made a move to ‘go green.’ Go what you say? Go Green! Yes, green is the new black and going green means that you care about this big spinning mass that we call home, our earth. Everyone can do something to put a stop to  the amount of pollution we put into the planet. If you already are an avid conservationist or if you are looking to learn what you can do to extend the life of Mother Earth come on down to Dowdy Park April 9^th and join Chattooga County in ‘Going Green.’

The Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office and  Keep Chattooga Clean program will be hosting the first Earth Day Celebration event on Saturday, April 9, at Dowdy Park in Summerville.  Chattooga County’s recycling and litter control projects will be featured that day.  Residents will also be provided with information on conservation.

The Earth Day Celebration will be a fun-filled family event and is scheduled for 11am-3pm.  A duck race will take place in the park’s creek and prizes will be awarded to the winner.  A children’s activity tent will offer youngsters a chance to decorate grocery bags for use on family shopping trips. Other craft activities will also be taking place. A recycling trailer will be  present at the park and residents are encouraged to bring their recyclables and do their part to keep our planet beautiful and thriving. Every child that brings a recyclable item will be eligible to enter the duck race in the creek and compete for prizes. 

The Chattooga County Cooperative Extension Agency, assisted by 4-H, will be on site educating earth day participants on conservation and other ways to go green. Georgia Power’s Green Team will distribute information on their green energy programs and energy conservation.  The Chattooga County Commissioner’s office will be selling hot dogs and drinks and will also be giving away reusable shopping bags donated by Wal-Mart.  Chattooga Garden club will be selling plants. Music is also planned.  Anyone who is interested in volunteering, sponsoring or participating is asked to call Sylvia-Lee Keziah at the Chattooga County Commissioner’s office 706.857.0700.

The earth day event is free to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend and learn what their part is in keeping our planet beautiful and healthy.