George Clinton is not the only musical gig in town this weekend, as many local bands will play an Earth Day festival in Thornden Park.

The New York Public Interest Group will host the festival in conjunction with the State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry Earth Week Committee, the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity and the Sigma Delta Tau sorority from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Thornden Park Amphitheater

Activities will include live local music by bands such as Leory, What About Frank, My Friends Band, Hijack Jupiter and Elijah Harris Jr. and other activities for younger children such as face paintings, a scavenger hunt and tabling by local groups concerned with the environment, said Sean Vormwald, NYPIRG project coordinator for ESF and Syracuse University.

“The purpose of the event is to increase awareness about what local groups are doing about the environment and also to provide some good entertainment,” Vormwald said.

The festival will also include information about NYPIRG’s current main environmental focus, the recycling bill in New York which aims to include non-carbonated beverages in the state recycling refund program and to get the unclaimed recycling funds awarded to the state, he said. Those who attend the festival will get the chance to sign postcards to the State Legislature lobbying them to change the practice, Vormwald said.

April Putney, a junior international relations major, said it was essential to get local groups to sign on and table at this weekend’s event. It is important to show people what environmental groups are actively involved in Syracuse, she added.

“We want to build awareness about the environment but also bring the coalition of local groups together at an event,” Putney said.

It may come as a surprise to some that an Earth Day Festival will have so much music as a backdrop. Abby Vogus, a junior public relations and international relations major, was involved in contacting local bands with the idea of playing the event. She thinks the music is important because it gives people something to listen to as they go from table to table and talk to local organizations or just enjoy the event.

“It’s about a good event and a good time,” Vogus said. “This is another area where NYPIRG can reach out to students.”

The event will be held rain or shine, but Vormwald hopes that despite a forecast of showers the weather will remain sunny so more students and community members will attend the free event.

“We are hoping for a good turnout but the weather may have something to say about that,” Vormwald said.

Published on April 24, 2003 at 12:00 pm