New Rochelle celebrated Earth Month as a community holding its inaugural 'SustainableNR' festival for residents and visitors, showcasing a themed marketplace with community gardens, green businesses, non-profits, crafters, artists, music and offerings from local restaurants. The festival, themed this year “Invest in our Planet!” was a celebration of sustainable living, and drew participants from all over the community.
The SustainableNR Earth Day Festival was a celebration of sustainability and environmental consciousness, and it showcased the city's commitment to protecting the planet. The event, held in the heart of New Rochelle, was a resounding success, with residents and visitors alike gathering to learn about sustainable living and enjoy the festivities. The celebrations offered and featured a variety of artisan and craft vendors, business representatives from throughout every part of New Rochelle’s bustling economy, local government officials there to engage with residents, community initiatives to learn more and get involved with, plus opportunities for meeting and learning from community non-profits and local advocates for civic issues.
The community gardens featured a wide variety of plants, fruits, and vegetables grown by local residents, while the green businesses showcased their commitment to sustainability through innovative products and services. The non-profits educated visitors on important environmental issues and provided opportunities to get involved in local conservation efforts. The crafters and artists displayed unique handmade items made from recycled and repurposed materials, and the music and restaurants added to the festive atmosphere.
The SustainableNR Earth Day Festival was organized by the City of New Rochelle in collaboration with local businesses and organizations. The event was made possible through the support of sponsors and volunteers who shared the city's vision for a sustainable future. With a range of activities and vendors, there was something for everyone, and the event is sure to become a highlight of the New Rochelle calendar.
In addition to the marketplace, there were plenty of other activities to enjoy. Visitors were treated to live music from local artists and DJ’s, pop-up shops, including a range of delicious food and drink from some of the city's top restaurants and local chefs. Children were also entertained with various activities and games designed to educate them about sustainable living and learn interactively about the climate and future of the environment.
For the planning and ultimate success of the Earth Month event in New Rochelle, the City proudly partnered with The Lincoln Park Conservancy, Inc to organize the festivities and facilitate community engagement. The educational and energetic event also served as a living collaboration with New Rochelle’s annual citywide “Parks Cleanup Weekend” and followed a community celebration for the re-opening of Anderson Plaza in downtown New Rochelle.
Throughout April, the City of New Rochelle has been hosting a series of Earth Month events, including community clean-up events, tree plantings, and educational programs and workshops on sustainable living and topics such as recycling and composting. These interesting and exciting events have been open to all members of the community, and the City encourages everyone to participate - learning more about the are they live, meeting their neighbors, and experiencing the community all of us play a part in building.
"We are thrilled with the success of the SustainableNR Earth Day Festival," said Mayor Noam Bramson. "It was wonderful to see so many members of our community come together to celebrate our planet and learn about ways to make our city more sustainable. We look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come."
“SustainableNR was a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the work we're doing to promote sustainable living in New Rochelle,” said Adam Salgado, Development Commissioner for the City of New Rochelle “We're proud of the progress we've made so far, and we're committed to continuing to work towards a greener, more sustainable future for our city.”
"Events like the 'SustainableNR' - Earth Day Festival provide a platform for local businesses, non-profits, and community organizations to showcase their efforts towards sustainability. We are proud to support this festival and the important work that it represents," said Kathleen Gill, City Manager for the City of New Rochelle.
“The City of New Rochelle recognizes our responsibility in tackling climate change, and we are poised to lead the charge to protect our planet and build a more sustainable, equitable and resilient future for our community” said New Rochelle Council Member Sara Kaye. “I look forward to more opportunities to engage residents in this effort. Happy Earth Day!"
“I am pleased that the first-ever City of New Rochelle Earth Day Celebration drew an enthusiastic crowd to the newly-constructed Anderson Plaza in the heart of Downtown New Rochelle,” said Linda Tarrant-Reid, Executive Director, The Lincoln Park Conservancy and Project Manager for the “SustainableNR - Earth Day Festival!” “Residents of all ages enjoyed a day of exploring strategies, products and services to reduce their carbon footprint. The Pied Piper Petting Zoo and Pony Rides were a huge hit with all the kids who loved getting up close to the farm animals and taking a short ride on the ponies, some for the very first time! The Meals on Main Street Pop-up Vegetable Market was also a needed benefit for families who were able to get fresh, locally-grown vegetables for free. And the ArtsWestchester ArtsMobile provided an outlet for the creatives who worked on Earth Day art projects contributing to the message of the day. I am very happy that everyone had a wonderful day in our new community space, it provides so many possibilities to educate, entertain and provide a respite to our residents."