Families enjoy Earth Day event
COEUR d'ALENE - Vendors and visitors alike basked in the sunshine at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library's 11th annual Earth Day Celebration, whose theme this year was "Earth Day Everyday."
The family event focused on the balance of the planet and the role in maintaining it while offering earth-friendly alternatives to everyday living. Those who arrived on foot or bicycle even got a free raffle ticket.
"It's a wonderful day; I'm happy the sun came out for us," said Tim Brady of Northern Brights Tie-Dye.
Brady is a four-year business owner who travels to various shows and events, including car shows, fireworks displays and street fairs selling his goods. He moonlights as a landscaper, and said he sells approximately 15-20 clothing products per event, adding that his clothing line is made of all-natural cotton and rayon materials.
"I'm doing fairly well business-wise," he said, "and I'm definitely going with the theme of the day. I'm happy to be here."
The Provost family took time out of their busy travel schedule to attend the day's events. They explained that they do their part in helping to preserve the earth by living in a motor home year round.
North Idaho locals, the Provosts homeschool their children as they travel to various national parks and visit family and friends.
"There's a lot to see, even close," said Robert Provost.
His wife, Erin, said it's easy living in a motorhome.
"Everything's exciting," she added.
Daughter Jamie said she tries to eat healthy, organic stuff and does her part to help the earth by trying to reuse products.
"But it doesn't last long as we live in a motorhome. It's really fun homeschooling," she said.
According to a press release, the U.S. produces more than 70 percent of the world's hazardous waste and consumes 33 percent of its paper.
NIC's Headstart featured "plant a row for the hungry," in which community organizations help their neighbors in need by planting a row of seeds and donating their surplus to local hunger-relief organizations. According to their pamphlet, just one row of fruit trees or vegetable plants makes a big difference in the fight against hunger.
Denise Ohrt ran a stand designed for planting carrots and pointed cabbage. She said that the soil and seeds are usually donated to help in the cause.
Rosie Johnston and her daughter, Parker, took time out to plant carrot seeds as they were "out enjoying Earth Day."
Zach Morsell manned the "soap stand" for his step-mother, Jennifer, who has a shop in her backyard making organic, handmade soaps that were donated for the Earth Day raffle. She spends her time selling her goods at craft fairs and farmer's markets, he said, adding that there are "too many varieties of soaps to count."
Other events included live music, art presentations, children's activities, yoga, roller derby, bike rodeos and countless other activities.
Young members of the Vissia family, 10-year-old Alicia and 1-year-old Kyrie, created flower vases by decorating recycled bottles.
"I think it's good for the kids to see how we conserve," said Irene Gage of Coeur d'Alene, the girls' grandmother. "And the different things we can recycle."