The Jim Thorpe Earth Day Celebration Saturday will focus on music, arts, crafts, food and educating and informing the general public about the environmental issues that surround all of us.

The celebration is held primarily at Josiah White Park in downtown Jim Thorpe, with events and music at Dimmick Memorial Library, Race Street Park and Horizons on Race Street.Events throughout the day include the Earth Day raffle, recycled kids crafts, hula hoop contest, bounce house and a coloring contest at Dimmick Memorial Library.Earth Day was founded in 1970 by U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson and first celebrated on April 22, 1970. Nelson intended for the day to be an "environmental teach-in," expanding awareness of environmental issues both among college students and the general public.Years later, a group of friends headed by Shelli Holland started the tradition of supporting the planet Earth in Jim Thorpe, by holding the first Jim Thorpe Earth Day Celebration.Highlights include:Josiah White Park Schedule9 a.m. to noon, River Clean-Up (meet by the green bus.)10 to 11 a.m. Magic Stew10 a.m. to 5 p.m. tribute to George Wesley Prayer Flag and Memorial10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Face painting11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids Craft CornerNoon to 4 p.m., Meet Woodsy Owl & Smokey Bear2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Free Range Folk3:30 to 4 p.m. Hula Hoop ContestRace Street park12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Build Your Own Hula Hoop Workshop - $20 donation2 to 3 p.m. Build Your Own Eco-System/Terrarium Workshop - $5 donation3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Community Drumming with Joe CiarvellaDimmick Memorial Library Schedule10 to 11 a.m. The Lorax Book Reading (Free gift from the Lorax - Inside)11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Coloring Contest (Inside)2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Super Science - All About Air Workshop (inside)Horizons: Entertainment throughout the day.For more information and a full schedule of events, go to

http://www.jimthorpeearthday.com