NASA photo/Public domain

Gateway Technical College will hold its annual communitywide Celebrate Earth Day event 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 16 at Gateway’s Kenosha Campus, 3520 30th Ave.

The popular Earth Day celebration will include many hands-on demonstrations and informational opportunities to show attendees how they can positively impact the environment.

The first 750 families will receive a free reusable grocery bag, courtesy of event sponsor, Snap-on Incorporated. The event is free and open to the public.

Most activities take place inside. For complete, up-to-date event information see www.gtc.edu/earthday

Event highlights include:

• Center for Sustainable Living. Gateway’s new green living demonstration space. Workshops, exhibits and Bahco tool demonstrations will be held in the center’s barn, and the center will feature sustainable interior design options.
• Earthly Treasures Rummage Sale. Fifty vendors will offer their items for sale in this effort to encourage reuse of household items.
• Recycling. Goodwill, Habitat Restore, Bicycle Ambassadors and a Relay for Life team will each have recycling trucks or bins for hard-to-dispose-of electronics as well as home building salvage, clothes and household items.
• Computer data removal. Gateway information technology students will assist in removing personal data and information contained on phones and computers before donating equipment to one of the recycling collection spots.
• Informational booths. Non-profit environmental organizations will answer questions and offer general information.
• Green Market. “Green” products will be available for purchase.
• Refashion show. Models will demonstrate outfits purchased for less than $35 from St. Vincent De Paul, including work attire, recreational and casual clothing.
• Workshops will include: 9:30 a.m. Getting your yard ready for spring; 10:30 a.m. Recognizing Greenwashing; 12:30 p.m. Green Home Design.
• Horticulture demonstrations. Container garden contest, gardening demonstrations, questions answered and other activities will be held in the Horticulture buildings. The student horticulture club will also hold a plant sale, featuring cool-season flower color including pansies and linaria as well as vegetables and herbs. Traditional Easter plants such as potted lilies, tulips and hyacinth will also be on sale.
• Children’s activities: Children will plant seeds and take them home to watch them grow; “green” crafts; puppet shows; environmental coloring books
• Urban Farm Garden dedication, 1:30 p.m.

For more information, call Jayne Herring (262) 496-0016.