On Saturday, April 19, Macon-Bibb County celebrated Earth Day at Amerson River Park with a theme of “Our Power, Our Planet.” This was the 15th year for this celebration, and the Earth Day Committee presented a record six Champion Awards to people and organizations making a difference in our community because of their contribution to a greener Macon-Bibb.
“Amerson River Park is an amazing location for this annual event because it really brings people close to nature,” said Earth Day Committee Chair Sam Kitchens. “We enjoyed having families come out and learn how we can all conserve and protect our planet for generations to come!”
This was a free event for everyone and had live music, educational exhibitors with giveaways, a wellness zone, a bicycle raffle, school nutrition displays, and more. Like in past years, once kids completed the activities and got their Earth Day passport stamped, they earned a free kid’s Earth Day t-shirt.
Multiple organizations came together to plan this exciting event. That included: Macon-Bibb County, the Macon-Bibb Green Team, the Bibb County School District, the Parks & Beautification Department, Macon Transit Authority, Bike Walk Macon, Bibb County Cooperative Extension, Recreation Department, Facilities Management Department, Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful, the Museum of Arts & Sciences, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Wellness & Fitness Festival, Macon-Bibb Pedestrian Safety Review Board, and Georgia Public Broadcasting.
“We love coming together each year to plan this event because we get to help build a more sustainable community together,” added Kitchens.
Nearly 40 vendors and sponsors helped make this happen and provided information about their services, how people can protect the planet, and have free giveaways for the community during this time. There were also awards given out to people and organizations in the areas of community, preservation, sustainability/environment, education, nonprofit, and more.
Those winners are:
Community Champion – Randell Hunt
Educational Champion – Wesleyan College Arboretum
Environmental Champion – Historic Vineville Neighborhood Association
Extra Mile Champion – Ocmulgee Mountain Biking Association
Nonprofit Champion – Grow Macon, Inc.
Preservation Champion – Heather Bowman Cutway