Pine to host 2nd Earth Day event with more environmental activities, vendors and 5K run

After large crowds and a positive reception last year, Pine is set to mark the second iteration of its Earth Day celebrations.

The event, which will take place throughout the grounds of the Pine Community Center and its surrounding park, will feature workshops, merchants and food vendors, resembling something close to an environmental fair ground, according to township Manager Jason Kratsas.

Environmental programming, he said, is a priority for Pine’s supervisors. And that priority led the township to consider how to increase environmental awareness in Pine in a more exciting way than a simple social media campaign.

Last year’s event, Kratsas said, was a “huge success” as noted by a steady stream of attendees and participants in environmental seminars such as one offered by the Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy, which included a presentation with live wild animals.

In addition to the return of the conservancy, this year’s programming will feature a recycled art show with works from Pine-Richland students, a yoga class and animal meet-and-greet in collaboration with the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.

“This is really focused on — with some substance — the environmental programming that we do and support in Pine,” Kratsas said.

In addition to those activities, which will mainly take place in the community center, more than 30 vendors will be set up outside along with informational booths and five food trucks.

That’s about double the number of vendors as last year, according to Kirsten Primm, director of code and planning for Pine and the event’s main organizer.

Though the specifics are still being organized, Primm said the event will feature several giveaways.

“To us, the environment and environmental health and wellness is a lot more than just planting trees, although that’s part of it,” she said.

Community events, she said, often are catered to children or families, but she said Pine’s Earth Day programming is meant “for everyone.” Even for those wary of opening their wallets, Primm said attendees can leave “fulfilled” without spending any money.

Last year, she said Pine hosted visitors from as far away as Ohio. Primm anticipates much larger crowds this year. Though she said the content of the event is important, the day also will provide a simple reason for the community to come together, Primm said.

Another new addition this to this year’s iteration will take place the following morning.

In an effort to encourage more people to use the town’s natural areas, Friends of Pine Community Parks is hosting its first 5K run.

The course will take runners throughout the wooded areas of Pine Community Park, including some new trails installed last year.

Pete Geis, Pine’s director of parks and open space, said the new event is set to be a “beautiful run.” He said 40 participants already have registered, but he is expecting about double that come April.

The funds generated from the race will go toward the ongoing construction of the Friends of Pine Amphitheater, a multipurpose performance area in the park.

“I’ve been in this region for 25 years now, and I’ve never seen an Earth Day event like this in any community,” Geis said.

The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 26, rain or shine, at the Pine Community Center, 100 Pine Park Drive. The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. April 27. For details, visit twp.pine.pa.us/484/Earth-Day-Event.