Kenyon College's Brown Family Environmental Center is set to host its annual "Keep It Wild" festival on Saturday, April 19. The event, which coincides with Earth Day celebrations, is expected to draw hundreds of visitors to the Gambier campus.
The festival will feature a variety of activities including games, food trucks, live music, and environmentally-focused vendors. It will run from noon to 4 p.m. at 9781 Laymon Road. Attendees can expect to see nocturnal mammals from Ohio Nature Education and birds of prey from Ohio Bird Sanctuary. Additionally, the United Titanium Bug Zoo from Ohio State University will showcase live insects.
A new activity titled "Stump the Scientist" will allow guests to bring rocks from home for identification by Eric Holdener, an assistant professor at Kenyon College. This activity aims to provide geological insights.
Several organizations will be present at the event offering information on environmental consciousness. These include Knox County Public Health, Philander Chase Conservancy, SPI, Natives in Harmony, and others. The event marks the 30th anniversary of the Brown Family Environmental Center's 700-acre preserve.
Live performances are scheduled by the Kenyon Pep Band; Twin Oaks Elementary School choir; Matt Baugher; and Kenyon students Elias Kradel and Aiden Puntes. Food options will be available from Empanadas and More and Pitabilities food trucks.
Jada Swearingen, a BFEC Post-Baccalaureate Fellow and member of Kenyon’s Class of 2024, emphasized inclusivity: "Just go out into nature and reconnect with the beauties that Mother Nature can offer," she said. "There's an activity for everybody."
