THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504250135
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
The tribute began in 1970 when then-U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin organized a national teach-in on the environment that blossomed into Earth Day.
The local salute to Mother Nature will be from noon to 7 p.m. May 7 at Town Point Park. The commemoration's official date was April 22, but members of the local Earth Day Committee moved the event to May to escape a history of bad weather.
``We had held it on April 22, but it poured two years in a row,'' said Darlene Lytton White, committee public relations chairwoman. ``Early May has proved to be a wonderful date. We've been blessed with beautiful skies every year.''
The theme for this year's celebration is ``Rescue Our Rivers: The Lifeblood of Hampton Roads.'' The carnival-like festivities will include public tours on ``The Responder,'' an oil-spill response vessel, and a canoe/kayak flotilla on the Elizabeth River, both new for this year. On-site recycling demonstrations, interactive environmental exhibits by groups including the Cousteau Society, and ``earth-friendly'' foods such as veggie pitas are among the other earthy attractions.
Although many people - committee officials expect at least 20,000 visitors - will come out of genuine concern to learn about and support the environment, others will show up mostly for the live music.
``I think a lot are here to learn, but many people come for the music and the fun-day-in-the-park kind of atmosphere,'' White said.
Two stages will host rock acts, including Waterworks and Storebought Superhero. Alternative sounds from Rare Daze, country by Thunder Creek, and acoustic and oldies groups also are on the roster.
While many people may expect Earth Day to attract throwbacks from the hippie era, the crowd is a broad mix, with many families, White said. Children's games, arts and crafts, and fishing activities will be provided. Alcoholic beverages won't be served.
``We get a few hippie types, but mostly it's families,'' White explained. ``The kids are getting educated about the environment in school. They bring their parents.''
Students in area schools are competing in Earth Day sculpture and art contests, White said.
The event is co-sponsored by the Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission and the Norfolk Environmental Commission. The two cities have shared the day for the last several years. The site rotates from Mount Trashmore to Town Point Park. This will be the cities' sixth celebration.
Committee officials expect that the turnout could be the largest ever, with more than 25,000 on hand. Trish Hill, with Earth Day USA, a national clearinghouse for Earth Day information in Peterborough, N.H., said she expects Earth Day's silver anniversary to be even larger than the 20th anniversary. Earth Day officials around the country said they expected a big turnout for the event because of the government's proposed rollback of environmental protection laws.
``It's non-stop in the office this year,'' Hill said. ``There are now over 1,000 Earth Day organizations across the country.'' MEMO: The local Earth Day celebration is free and open to the public. Call
441-1486 for more information.
by CNB