Oxford’s throwing a party for the planet Earth and everyone is invited.
Dubbed the Oxford Earth Day Celebration, the environmental shindig will take place in downtown Oxford and along the Polly Ann Trail on Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trail Manager Troy Farwell is estimating a good turnout for the first-year event.
‘I’m thinking around 600-700 people, conservatively,? he said. ‘We could get upwards of 1,000.?
‘The response has been pretty dynamic. I’m pretty impressed with how many emails I’ve been getting.?
Sponsored by the PAT Management Council and Oxford Downtown Development Authority, the eco-celebration will feature a 5K run/walk and 22K bike ride along the trail, diverse vendors, kids/family activities, educational programs and the chance to win a fantastic green bicycle (shown left).
‘We did this whole thing in the downtown area just to make sure people have lunch here, maybe do a little shopping here,? said Farwell, noting the DDA donated $2,000 toward the event. ‘It’s chance for people who haven’t been to downtown Oxford to spend some time here.?
It’s also an opportunity to expose people to the Polly Ann Trail, a 14.2-mile non-motorized recreational path that runs through Addison, Oxford and Orion townships.
Registration for the run/walk along the trail begins at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m.
Runners and walkers will start at Mill St., head toward and go over the M-24 bridge, follow the Polly Ann Trail to Powell Lake Park to do a half-loop on its trail system, then follow the Polly Ann back to Mill St.
‘It’s all paved,? Farwell said. ‘I was up at Meijer and I had two people stop me to tell me they’re running.?
Registration for the bike ride starts at 9 a.m.with cyclists taking off from Mill St. at 10 a..m. They will ride the Polly Ann Trail all the way to Leonard and back.
The cost to participate in the run/walk or bike ride is $20 per person. The cost to do both events is still $20.
‘If they’re fast enough, they can do both,? Farwell said.
Those looking to do some shopping can wander the parking lot in front of the Oxford United Methodist Church on E. Burdick St. visiting various vendor tables.
There will be a little something for everybody including health foods, massage therapy, nonprofit groups, schools, bicycles and accessories, eco-friendly toys, local gyms and local restaurants.
Farwell’s projecting the event will draw 45-50 vendors.With the exception of nonprofits, each vendor is being charged $25 to rent space. ‘We didn’t think it was necessary to try and gouge people in these economic times,? Farwell said. ‘Nobody’s going to turn down $25.?
For more information about vendor registering visit www.getmeregistered.com or call (248) 770-8587.
Across the street, on the DDA-owned lots and in the auxiliary parking lot east of Mill St., kids will be able to enjoy a rock-climbing wall, petting zoo courtesy of Upland Hills Farm and face-painting. Kids will also get the opportunity to create a little sidewalk art with chalk and color an Earth Day banner.
Those who attend the Oxford Earth Day Celebration are invited to enter a drawing for a Specialized Globe Vienna bicycle worth $420.
Brian Gealy, manager of Main Street Bicycles in Oxford, the shop which donated the Vienna, said it’s a ‘comfortable, easy-riding bike? perfect for either commuting or riding local trails and bike paths.
Those who make a donation of $5 or more to the Polly Ann Trail Saturday will be entered in the bike drawing.