Earth 2 E-Town has a mission to make the world a better place for all creatures big and small and to engage, educate and energize the community in meeting that goal. The organization will hold the third annual Earth 2 E-Town Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St.

"We have really grown over the past three years," said Kelsey Grove, founder and co-director of the event. "We have nearly 60 different businesses and info tables. We'll have a maker's market this year, with over 25 local artisans that are working in natural and recycled materials."

The event will feature a variety of hands-on activities for people of all ages, including opportunities to count bees in a live hive, to pet chinchillas and to take a close look under the hood of an electric vehicle. Free face painting will be offered by Wildflower Artistry, and Lancaster Science Factory will be on-site with a variety of activities for children.

Live music and presentations will be featured throughout the day, including a performance by Ukulele Uprising and a program from Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary. Food and drinks will be available as well.

Educational opportunities will be offered by Lancaster Conservancy, Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, Pitties.Love.Peace and Science in Motion from Elizabethtown College, among other organizations. The Common Wheel will host a bicycle safety course from noon to 2 p.m.

A large part of the festival will focus on the idea of "reuse," Grove said, noting that several organizations will be holding donation drives. Habitat for Humanity Lancaster ReStore will accept gently used small furniture, good-condition hardware and tools and home decor items. Leveling the Playing Field will collect used sports equipment to distribute to youths in need, and The Tatted Toy Guys will host a toy swap. The Mount Joy Pet Food Pantry will accept cat food and litter as well as dog food, and the Lancaster County Pharmacists Association with local police will collect unneeded medication as part of a drug take-back project.

A Green Business Expo will feature environmentally conscious businesses such as solar companies and organic lawn care. For businesses that do not have an environmental focus, participation in the expo will still be offered in exchange for accepting an uncommon recyclable item for the event's recycling drive. For instance, Kairos Massage & Skincare will be accepting Dermalogica products to recycle.

"There is something for everyone at this event," Grove stated. "It's for all ages, and it's put on by the community for the community. There are so many people who have volunteered their time and their talents to make this event possible. ... We have to give thanks to the Elizabethtown Rotary Club and the Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce, who have been diligently planning alongside us all year for the festival." The event sponsors are DDMP Investment Advisors and Mars Wrigley.

"This is truly a community collaboration," Grove remarked. "We have so many partnering organizations and groups and volunteers that are making this possible and providing something for people to learn, something for people to do and fun for everybody."

For more information on the Earth Day Festival, search for "Earth 2 E-Town" on Facebook.