THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996 TAG: 9604240125
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
Earth Day was officially last Monday, but the Special Programs Office of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Department has planned the city's annual observance for Saturday, May 4.
Why the delay? So more people can come, according to Gail McClure Bradshaw of the Special Programs Office.
``People are better able to come out on the weekend than if we held the celebration on the official Monday date,'' Bradshaw said. ``Plus we can use the weekend date and the celebration as an end to our Glad Bag-a-thon. We will use the event as a way to say thank-you to all of those who got involved.
``This celebration honors everyone who has helped to make Chesapeake one of the most beautiful cities in the nation. The purpose of the day is to thank everyone participating in clean-up programs and to attract new volunteers to participate.''
The Glad Bag-a-thon was a month-long cleanup campaign sponsored by the Glad company and the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council.
During the long cleanup, individuals, churches, Scout groups, school groups and other civic help organizations spent time cleaning up the city's roadways and parks.
What began seven years ago as a humble little party to celebrate the earth, its greenery and the notion to help clean up the planet, has now developed into a big party.
``Every year we're getting more and more people,'' Bradshaw said. ``Last year we held it at the Elizabeth River Boat Landing because Lakeside Park was torn up. But now we're back at our home base.''
Besides the planned activities and entertainment, Bradshaw said the park would be enough to satisfy anyone who enjoys cools breezes and shady spots.
``The place is a nice old fashioned park with lots of shade trees, the small lake, that bridge and greenery,'' she said. ``It's really pretty. When you're there you're under trees; it's a nice shady kind of site on a hot day. It has an old-time feel to it.''
Along with a rejuvenated Lakeside Park, Bradshaw said this year's Earth Day celebration has more activities and entertainment than ever before.
``We need two stages this year, instead of one,'' she said. ``We need them to handle all of the entertainment.''
Country music fans will enjoy the 1 p.m. show featuring Willie Phelps and the Rounders with local country singer Ed Beard.
Fans of early rock music and American kitsch should enjoy the 2 p.m. show, featuring South Norfolk's own Sterling Riggs.
Riggs, who's also adept at crooning country and contemporary pop tunes, will unleash his very popular ``Tribute to Elvis Show.'' If you recall, Riggs was the one who literally walked away with most of the awards and accolades at last year's annual Viva Elvis/Elvis Is Everywhere Celebration at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.
Another star attraction at this year's Earth day will celebrate what's in the water and on the land.
For the first time ever, the event will feature the Virginia Marine Science mobile lab, open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and a 1 p.m. animal show by the Peninsula-based Virginia Living Museum.
``It will be an entire mobile marine science lab, sort of like a bookmobile with water tanks and marine life instead of books,'' Bradshaw said. ``The lab will be open for the entire Earth Day time. People will be able to file through and see live marine life and learn about the water around us. The Virginia Living Museum will present a program with live animals for families to enjoy and maybe even touch.''
The event will also feature a puppet show given by the Raleigh Heights Baptist Church puppet team, along with games, make-it-and-take-it crafts, displays and activities.
For the budding young artist in the family, the event will feature a ``What Earth Day Means to Me'' poster contest. Prizes will be awarded. Contest rules and regulations can be obtained by calling the Chesapeake Sheriff's office at 547-6159.
Lunch will be free, thanks to the Chesapeake Sheriff's office, the South Norfolk Ruritans, Huntsman Chemical Corp. and the Chesapeake Environmental Improvement Council with help from the Chesapeake Bay Youth Conservation Corps, the South Norfolk ``We Can Bring It Back Together'' Cleanup Campaign, Utz Potato Chips and T's Plus. The fare will include hot dogs, chips, snacks, cookies and soft drinks, all at no charge.
``This should be a fun event,'' Bradshaw said. ``We suggest people bring their families. We've got free entertainment, free food and our beautiful park. We also urge people to bring their lawn chairs and blankets and have a fine day.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by GAIL BRADSHAW
The Raleigh Heights Puppet Team will perform at the Earth Day
party.
by CNB