The third annual Arts at the Great Marsh, which will combine performing arts with environmental education, will be held at the Great Marsh Institute (GMI) in Elverson on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Founded by GMI administrative assistant and dance artist, Mijkalena Smith, this year's event will be free to the public for the first time. "In the past, it has been marketed as a fundraising event. We decided to have it be an arts event for the community," said Smith. "We (wanted) it be more accessible to a wider audience."

Live demonstrations during the day will include performances by the local dance studio ReMix Dance Collective; a beginner Pilates class with Movement Designed to Feel Good; and a beginner swing dancing lesson with dancers and live music accompaniment.

Members of GMI's Science Advisory Board will offer educational talks on the flora and fauna of the Great Marsh. Among the speakers will be nature writer Bernard Brown, who specializes in the study of reptiles and amphibians.

All activities will take place on an outdoor stage under a pavilion. "People can bring chairs for seating. We will have some hay bales set up just in case," said Smith.

All attendees will receive a program with the events schedule, as well information about the speakers and performers.

Also on hand will be vendors from the local community, including Barking Tree Pottery, HilaryJanePics, Exton Bee Company and Davis Witmer Visual Arts.

The Great Marsh, covering about 700 acres, is situated on private property, which is protected by conservation and agricultural easements. However, events such Arts at the Great Marsh are open to the community. Also offered are monthly bird walks.

"We also have monthly Artist Days where the property is open from dawn to dusk. Artists are welcome to take photos and paint. We have a lot of talented people that come out," Smith noted. "We have had some people shoot music videos on the property, (and) they always share the final products with us."

The location also provides a unique habitat for college students, scientists and others to study the Great Marsh's plant and animal species. According to http://www.greatmarshinstitute.org, more than 150 bird species and 160 plant species have been identified on the property. The site also is home to whitetail deer, coyotes, red and silver foxes, muskrats and beavers as well as many species of amphibians and reptiles.

"The Moore family owns the property and started the nonprofit in 2018 to formalize the research that was already going on by researchers and college groups that came onto the property," Smith said. "Our mission is to support scientific studies and educational opportunities and to protect the marsh."

GMI is located at 34 Moores Road, Elverson. For more information, visit the aforementioned website or http://www.facebook.com/greatmarshinstitute.