Moon Rings in Earth Day Early

It's an afternoon for families to spend together -- and maybe learn a thing or two about the environment, Lance Welliver said.

Welliver, assistant director of Moon's , said the township's annual Earth Day festival, held Sunday at , typically draws as many as 400 people, many of whom stop by to take part in free exhibits and activities. Nationally, Earth Day is observed on April 22. 

"Each year it grows -- we offered as many as 20 exhibits this year," said Welliver of the celebration, now in its 10th year. "It's all about promoting and learning about the environment."

Residents had the chance to ascend a rock wall, get free seedlings from the Moon Township Garden Club, and watch a presentation from Pittsburgh's National Aviary that featured Elvis, an African Penguin. 

Sitting behind a table in the Robin Hill Center,  students Erin Kaminski and Kenna Markle offered hand-painted canvas bags and small potted plants to children. 

The two said the event was an excellent setting to promote environmental awareness to elementary school students in the township. 

"I've actually never been here before,"  Markle said. "But it's great."

"It's a really good way to get kids interested in the environment," Kaminski said.

Outside the Robin Hill Center,  said the festival brought together a diverse mix of Moon residents. Eicher was on hand to present an award to third-grader Andrew Despot, who designed the festival's logo. 

"We've got kids here, we've got senior citizens here," Eicher said. "It's great to just come out here and be a part of the community." 

Welliver said the Earth Day festival is one of the largest annual events organized by the township's Parks and Recreation Department. 

"We do this event rain or shine," Welliver said. "I think it's just great seeing families come out and take part in everything."