May 21-23 event highlights recycling, cleanliness
By John Tredrea, Special Writer
Lambertville will host the New Jersey Clean Communities Council’s 11th annual three-day seminar and awards dinner, set for May 21-23 at the county 4-H Fairgrounds in East Amwell.
”We’re thrilled that Lambertville will play host to this year’s seminar,” said Sandy Huber, executive director of the Clean Communities Council. “It’s a picturesque setting and one of the most beautiful and litter-free places in New Jersey. The backdrop will serve as an inspiration for all who attend.”
Things will get underway at the fairgrounds, off Route 179 near Ringoes, on May 21.
”We’ll be giving out our annual Kids-Teens Awards, which honor students who have helped make the state cleaner,” said Ms. Huber. “The Kids-Teen Awards will help celebrate the 350th anniversary of New Jersey.”
An animal fair will run the gamut from the exotic to the reassuringly familiar, with a miniature Sicilian donkey, alpaca, sheep, friendly goats, chickens, bunnies, ducks, and Indian Fantails from the Friendly-Farm Petting Zoo. There will also be duck races.
There will be a storytelling festival as well. Again, variety will prevail. Said Ms. Huber: “Guest artists at the fairgrounds will include Tchin, a Native American storyteller and flute player; folks from Middle Earth Studios, who will tell the story of the Legend of the Unicorn; and The Junk Jam Band, a group of musicians who deliver messages with recycled instruments.”
The event also includes the Clean Communities Carnival, featuring games, crafts, face painting, button and jewelry making, tattooing and clowns. The Grand Falloons, veterans of the Big Apple Circus, will entertain. A special “Slam Dunk the Junk” segment will feature basketball games, milk bottle tosses and metal can games. Performing will be the Slam Dunk the Junk King, Dave Street.
Then there will be “Dash the Trash.” For two years, New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors/AmeriCorps volunteers have conducted Dash for Trash cleanups along the Delaware River during AmeriCorps Week. The Dash for Trash competitive events will include relay races, using recyclable products, to remind everyone to keep New Jersey’s rivers, lakes, streams, streets and beaches clean.
”Admission, as well as parking and lunch, will be free, honoring those who have implemented projects to reduce litter and encourage proper waste handling in their communities,” Ms. Huber said. “We expect about 2,000 children to attend.
On May 22, there will be a seminar and awards dinner at the Inn at Lambertville Station, at 11 Bridge St., focusing on efforts to keep the Delaware River clean. The event will be led by a panel of mayors, including Lambertville’s David DelVecchio. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. followed by a noon lunch. Folksinger Mike Arganoff is scheduled to perform. River and trolley tours will follow at 1:30 p.m.
The seminar is co-hosted by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. “The reception and awards dinner that night is expected to attract 250 people,” Ms. Huber said.
The activities will wind up the next morning with the Breakfast of Champions, recognizing those who lead the fight against litter in New Jersey. The event is hosted by the Clean Communities Council, Inc., the city of Lambertville, Hunterdon County, Hunterdon County Division of Parks and Recreation, the state Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
Call the Clean Communities office at 609-989-5900 or visit njclean.org for information.