Earth Fest at the Macoskey Center in Slippery Rock is meant to incorporate community involvement on SRU’s campus and within the greater sustainability initiative. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Slippery Rock University’s Earth Fest will return Saturday, complete with horseback rides, live music, an electric car show and more.

The Robert A. Macoskey Center for Sustainable Systems Education and Research at Slippery Rock University resurrected the event after a COVID hiatus with the goal to teach people about sustainability.

Samantha “Sami” Laurence, manager of the center, said the celebration is in honor of Earth Day and seeks to inform the public about the center’s initiative, as well as raise funds.

“It’s an opportunity to carry out our vision, which is to inspire and create a just and sustainable future,” she said. “This event will help (the community) see how to live a sustainable lifestyle.”

The Macoskey Center's Earth Fest will feature sustainable products at a vendor market, horseback rides and more on Saturday. SUBMITTED PHOTO

For the adventurer, there will be a GoGreen Electric Car show at Earth Fest and horseback rides offered at Storm Harbor Equestrian Center, 245 Harmony Road, Slippery Rock.

Laurence said anyone who attends the event will find something to enjoy. The festival features activities to appeal to any age range and interests.

Slippery Rock University Parks and Conservation students will lead sustainability DIY projects for children and adults during the course of the day. Bath and flower bombs, a scavenger hunt and water activities are just a fraction of the offerings.

Earth Fest also will feature a sustainable products vendor market, where companies such as Be Aware Bee Ware Wraps and Silver Maple Ceramics will display goods contributing to a healthier Earth. Fuzzy Monkey Coffee and Dinner Bell Farms are slated to quench hunger and thirst, while musical guests Treebeard Brown and Alyssa Hankey will help attendees find their groove.

Macoskey Center merchandise also will be on sale during the event as part of the fundraising effort.

“A lot of the (event) funds are for environmental education programming for the community and university,” Laurence said.

The event encourages the attendance and involvement of the public, according to Laurence. Nearly 500 people attended Earth Fest 2019, and she said she’s hoping for similar numbers this year.