I was event manager for the 2nd Annual Celebration of the Young Child in 2008. I wanted to create a bigger and better event than in 2007 and also to have a theme that would help families. I contacted people in the health industry to give information on how children can eat healthy and live healthy.
Here is a copy of the full press release:
Historic Jonesborough’s 3rd Annual Children’s Celebration Goes “Green” For Earth Day
JONESBOROUGH, TN –Come to Celebration of the Young Child during Earth Day Weekend beside the Washington County Court House on Historic Main Street. Everyone is invited to celebrate with games, crafts, art, storytelling, and music on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information, please contact The Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center at 423.753.1010, call toll free 866.401.4223, or click historicjonesborough.com for a full press release.
Celebrate upcoming Earth Day by visiting bunnies, chicks, and sheep, a storytelling workshop ($10 fee and reservation required), an elegant “green” tea party at Gracious Designs (reservation required), and ice cream social at The Cranberry Thistle. The health village will include tips for children and our planet earth including participation from the Johnson City Power Board. Andrew Johnson Bank will sponsor a fishing game with prizes. Visit with McGruff the crime dog, Jelly Belly, Wetlands Willie, and others. The main stage will have the ETSU Taletellers, Dilly Dally – Jonesborough’s very own storytelling, motorcycle-riding clown, Jonesborough Novelty Band, and the Celebration Show Choir. Explore fire trucks, police cars, child safety seat demonstrations, and fire safety demonstrations.
“We are really excited about celebrating Earth Day and offering storytelling workshops for children that want to be future storytellers,” says Melissa Cloyd, event organizer and Marketing and Advertising Manager for the Town of Jonesborough. “Children can gain an appreciation for their natural environment and the art of storytelling,” Cloyd says.
There will be an art exhibit provided by students of Washington County schools in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center. There will also be a Spring Doll Show and Sale in the Historic Jonesborough Visitors Center Auditorium from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Antique, modern, and collectible dolls, clothes and accessories will be on display for viewing or purchase. Children under 12 are free and adult admission for the doll show is $3.50.
Do you have a budding storyteller? “Cowgirl Connie” Gill, an active member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild, will be offering a storytelling workshop for children at Mill Spring Park in downtown Jonesborough. Children ages 9 and up will learn how to tell one story in about an hour and a half. They will leave ready to tell and inspired to learn more stories. One or two workshop participants will get the opportunity to tell with the ETSU Taletellers on the children’s main stage at 3 pm! Cost is $10. Call 423.753.1010 for reservation. Space is limited for 12 students.
In addition, an elegant “green” tea party at 1 pm for 3-7 year olds and 3 pm for 8-12 year olds. Tea and cookies will be served on real china with cloth napkins for a “no-waste” tea party. Seating is limited though, and reservations can be made by calling Gracious Designs at 423-753-5247, by Thursday, April 16.
Other downtown businesses are also pitching in, offering sales and activities.
Fire trucks and police cars will be available for enjoyment throughout the day, and other activities will be on a timed schedule. Dixie Home Crafters will be giving away home safety kits and a chance to win $6,500 in home improvement items. The detailed schedule will be available on site with times and locations for individual activities.
Guests are encouraged to take their break from morning activities and enjoy lunch discounts and special children’s menu items at Jonesborough’s downtown restaurants.
Storytelling Workshop Details:
Call 423.753.1010 for reservation or more details.
9:30 –10:30 Visit with Storyteller, Cowgirl Connie
· Ask questions about storytelling
· Find out about National Youth Storytelling
· Sign up for afternoon storytelling workshop
· Learn about more upcoming workshops for youth storytellers
11:00 – 11:30 Earth Day Stories with Cowgirl Connie
12:00-1:45 Take Home a Story/ Storytelling Workshop
Connie Gill received a Masters Degree in Storytelling from E.T.S.U.
She has taught first grade, substituted in all grades and has current elementary certification in Tennessee and Idaho. Giving 15 years of 4-H Leadership, Connie was chosen as 4-H Leader of the Year in her home town-Kootenai County in 1996 and Distinguished 4-H Service Award in 1997. She is a performing member of The Jonesborough Storytellers Guild and has told at area festivals including: Iris Festival, Mountain Makins’ Festival, and Exchange Place Farm.
Earth Day 2009, April 22, will mark the beginning of the Green Generation Campaign! This two-year initiative will culminate with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day in 2010. The Green Generation includes people who are engaged in individual and collective activities to improve their health, to improve their schools, to participate in building a solution to urgent national and global issues, such as climate change or the world’s water crisis. For more information on Earth Day please visit Earthday.net.
Here is a sample of the brochure I created for the day of the event:
