ORONO — The 21st annual HOPE — Help Organize Peace Earthwide — Festival will be held 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the University of Maine Student Recreation and Fitness Center. The free festival celebrates the earth and connections to each other. It is held each year in conjunction with Earth Day. Families with children, students and community members who attend the festival will find inspiration and learn about what they can do to create a better world.
The festival theme is Simple Solutions to Big Problems. More than 60 organizations will showcase their work for a better world. They will share information, offer demonstrations, sell buttons, T-shirts and other products, and encourage people to get involved.
The HOPE Festival will open with a welcome and call to action from Maria Girouard, a member of the Penobscot Nation and recent recipient of the MaryAnn Hartmann Award. Historian, environmental activist, and peace advocate, Girouard is the founder of Dawnland Environmental Defense, an alliance for native and non-native people who stand united in protection of the “dawnland.” She works for Maine-Wabanaki REACH (Reconciliation, Engagement, Advocacy, Change and Healing) as a health and wellness coordinator and community organizer. REACH is the organization that conceptualized and implemented the precedent-setting Maine-Wabanaki State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The HOPE Festival Singers will perform at 11:30 a.m.
At 12:15 p.m., Jim Merkel, author of “Radical Simplicity,” will talk about simple solutions and introduce a range of sustainability demonstrations, including papermaking with recycled materials by ecomaine, a tour of biodiesel-powered Bettie the Bus, ideas for increasing your carbon handprint in order to reduce your carbon footprint, and more.
At 1 p.m. Robert Sypitkowski will share his experiences to help develop water resources in Indonesia after the tsunami in war-torn Sudan, and in Ecuador and Peru with Engineers without Borders.
Juggler of Zachary Field will perform at 1 p.m., Holly Twining will demonstrate chair yoga at 2 p.m.
Throughout the day fun and educational activities by Fields Pond Audubon Center, Windover Arts Center, Maine Discovery museum and others will be available to children.
Many local food vendors will offer their specialities.
The day will conclude at 2:45 p.m. with a dance of unity led by Suzanne Kelly.
For information or to volunteer, call 942-9343 or visit peacectr.org.