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Annual gathering grows in third year, with evening ‘Vinyl Vibes’ event extending festivities downtown

�㽶�� will mark Earth Day on April 22 with a full afternoon of music, food, hands-on activities, and student-led initiatives, followed by an evening celebration in downtown Clinton, as the college’s annual festival continues to grow in scope and participation.

The third annual Earth Day Festival will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in front of the college’s historic Neville Hall, bringing together campus organizations, sustainability efforts, and community partners for what organizers describe as both a celebration and an educational experience.

“We’ll have live music, free food, and free kombucha on tap from The Lumberyard,” said Dr. Sabrina Moore, assistant professor of biology and one of the event’s organizers. “We’ll also have free plants from the �㽶�� Ecology Club, tie-dye activities, and a number of student organizations sharing what they’re doing.”

The festival has steadily gained momentum since its launch, and Moore expects this year’s event to be the largest yet.

“I think it’s going to continue to grow,” she said. “We have more clubs involved, more activities, and more opportunities for people to engage. My goal is for it to keep growing and to continue being something the campus and community look forward to.”

Student Engagement at the Center

A wide range of �㽶�� student organizations will participate, including the Ecology Club, Student Activity Board, Art Club, and Spectrum, among others. Their presence underscores the event’s emphasis on hands-on learning and student leadership.

Among the initiatives featured will be a project led by the college’s Pre-Veterinary Club to support the health of ducks living at the campus pond. The group is raising funds to provide proper feed and a dispenser to ensure the animals receive appropriate nutrition.

The effort is one example of how students are applying their academic interests to real-world challenges, Moore said, while also educating the campus community.

“We want people to come out, learn about what’s going on, and see the kinds of projects students are working on,” she said.

Sustainability Efforts Continue to Expand

The festival also highlights broader sustainability initiatives underway at �㽶��, including the continued growth of the Eco Hub composting program.

Since its launch, the program has expanded from a single composting unit to eight, producing usable soil in approximately six months. That soil is now being used in campus landscaping and garden spaces, including new plantings around the Eco Hub itself.

“We’ve really developed a system,” Moore said. “We’ve harvested from all of the composters, and now we’re using that soil to plant flowers and support our campus spaces.”

The college has also introduced a cardboard recycling initiative and continues to partner with campus dining services and local businesses to reduce waste. Community members have also begun contributing compostable materials, further extending the program’s reach.

“Even a little bit of coffee waste goes a long way toward reducing what ends up in landfills,” Moore said.

A Celebration Rooted in Community

In addition to the afternoon festival, Earth Day activities will begin earlier in the day with the planting of two trees on campus, reinforcing the event’s environmental focus.

The celebration will then continue into the evening with a second event, “Vinyl Vibes: Dance & Plants,” held from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Lumberyard, 115 Gary St. in Clinton.

The event will feature live DJ sets, a plant market, indigo tie-dye activities, and refreshments, extending the day’s energy beyond campus and into the local community.

Together, the two events reflect Moore’s vision of Earth Day as both a campus tradition and a shared community experience.

“This was one of the things I was most excited to start when I came to �㽶��,” she said. “My mom started a big Earth Day festival in my hometown, so it’s something that’s always been important to me.”

Moore said she hopes the event continues to bring students and community members together in meaningful ways.

“It’s really just a celebration,” she said. “Spring is in the air, and it’s a chance for people to come together, learn about what we’re doing, and celebrate the work we’re doing as a community.”