Hundreds gather on the Armory lawn for the Marietta Earth Day Celebration on Saturday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

MARIETTA – With Earth Day recognized on April 22, the city of Marietta held its annual Earth Day Celebration on the Armory lawn Saturday afternoon. Despite the intermittent rain and overcast conditions, hundreds of adults and kids showed up to learn about the over 20 environmental vendors and their displays.

From sustainable energy sources to wildlife and plant biology, there were vendors with unique displays and information. From live fish to geodes to fox skeletons, kids could watch, listen, and engage with the environment all from the Armory lawn.

Sisters Joyce Ditchenborf and Cindi Hostetler were browsing through the publications available by the Bird Watcher’s Digest.

“It’s a wonderful thing to see so many kids here today,” said Ditchenborf.

“Start the engagement early,” said Hostetler.

Geodes and minerals on display by members of the Ohio Valley Gem and Mineral Society during the Marietta Earth Day Celebration on Saturday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Ditchenborf, a Marietta resident, said her husband is a member of the tree commission for the city. She said her sister, Hostetler, was visiting for the weekend and they decided to come check out the celebrations.

“I think this is actually the first time I’ve been here, but I try to attend local events,” said Ditchenborf.

Hostetler, a resident of Dublin, said from what she had seen so far it was a really great event and very engaging for the kids in the community.

Ditchenborf said the event could open a lot of people’s eyes about the need for clean, safe drinking water in the community.

“People are starting to take these things seriously,” she said.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife shows the various types of freshwater fish they maintain in Ohio's streams during the Marietta Earth Day Celebration on Saturday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

The Mid-Ohio Valley Bee Keepers had presentations with live beehives. There were live fish at the Ohio Division of Wildlife stand. Kids had many opportunities to learn about trees, ecosystems, worms, minerals, and more.

Jessica Armold and Mary Nally with the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC) were present to talk about their program and share information on sustainable energy with the public.

SOPEC provides sustainable energy programs for communities who select them as their aggregate. The communities of Athens and Logan are enrolled in SOPEC’s aggregation program with AEP Energy as the supplier.

“We’ve had a great turnout and we’ve talked to a lot of people today that are interested in energy saving tips,” said Jessica Armold, SOPEC Regional Director for southeast Ohio. “They were also interested in some of the sustainability efforts that we help with for our member communities.”

Arnold said typically a city or township will put a ballot measure for aggregation and the community can vote yes or no. She said in the past, Marietta has voted yes for SOPEC but are currently aggregated through another company.

Kids watch as a member of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District shows what water treatment in the area looks like during the Marietta Earth Day Celebration on Saturday. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

“So if they (Marietta) were to choose a different aggregator, then they could go through the process with us and just fill out a little bit of paperwork and Marietta could then become a member of SOPEC,” said Armold.

She said there are opportunities for solar energy, electric vehicle charging stations and more through SOPEC.

The Marietta Earth Day Celebration is more than a celebration-it’s about gathering as a community and learning and appreciating the world around us.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com