It has recently been reported in the Canadian media that the planet’s health, even more than health care, is the major issue on people’s minds.

The earth and every living thing that lives here are in grave jeopardy because of the impact of human activity.

This is why Earth Day has become very important: it is an opportunity for people to have their consciousness raised about the state of the biosphere. Knowledge empowers us to make the necessary changes to make a brighter future.

The Collingwood Music Festival is grateful to the Trillium Foundation and The Shipyards for their support of the Earth Day events.

Except for a reading at the Collingwood Public Library events are centred at New Life Brethren in Christ Church, 28 Tracey Lane, just off Hurontario Street just south of Collingwood Collegiate.  

On Fri., Apr. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Elizabeth May will be addressing Collingwood and area residents about the future of nature and humanity in Canada. She will be visiting our community to talk about her work and about our role in improving the environment.

On Sat., Apr. 21 at 10:30 a.m., children’s authors Jane Drake and Ann Love will make a presentation at the Collingwood Public Library. These wonderful authors have written several books for children, including The Kids’ Winter Cottage Book and The Kids’ Book of the Night Sky. Their most recent book is Trash Action: a Fresh Look at Garbage.

The cost for this fun and interactive program is only $2 for adults and children, and is being held in collaboration with the Library.

At 2 p.m. on Sat., Apr. 21, Collingwood welcomes Patrick Lima and John Scanlan from the Larkwhistle Garden in Dyer’s Bay, Ontario. They will be giving a slide show and talk on organic gardening at New Life Church. Authors of many gardening books including The Art of Perennial Gardening and The Organic Home Garden, and regular contributors to Harrowsmith and Canadian Gardening, Patrick and John will certainly get us all charged up for the beginning of the gardening season.

Earth Day will be completed on Saturday evening with a concert at 7:30 p.m. called Music in the Key of Earth: Nature in Classical Music. Compositions such as Beethoven’s Spring Sonata and other nature-themed pieces will be performed by the great violin and piano duo, Michael Schulte and Ron Turnini

Separate tickets for each of these events can be purchased for $15 for adults, or you can attend all these events for only $28! And children can come to every event for only $5 for the day!

Tickets are available at Crow’s Nest  Book Store and Three Herons Antiques in Collingwood, Picnic Catering in Thornbury and Curiosity Book House in Creemore.

Please call 1-888-283-1712 or see the website at www.collingwoodmusicfestival.com.