Free event features hands-on workshops, live entertainment, recycling stations, and more

The Texoma Earth Day planning team has put together a day of hands-on learning, great entertainment, and real opportunities to make a difference — whether that's learning to compost, recycling old electronics, or discovering sustainable building methods. "We're seeing a growing interest in sustainability, composting, and resilience across the Texoma region, and this festival reflects that energy," said Amy Hoffman-Shehan, Texoma Earth Day coordinator.

Festival workshops cover a range of environmental and sustainability topics. In addition to classes on fossil identification, beekeeping, and outdoor composting, there will be a detailed presentation on cordwood construction. Cordwood is a sustainable, cost-effective building method that uses short logs laid in a mortar matrix to create highly insulated walls. Presenters Eva and George Novak built their own cordwood home in rural Oklahoma, powered by solar energy and geothermal heating and cooling.

Entertainment runs throughout the day and will open with a family-friendly belly dance fusion performance by Sapphire Lotus Belly Dance, followed by two high-energy sessions led by Nautilus Family Fitness.

Parker Elementary's Choir and Dynamite Drummers — approximately 80 singers and 36 percussionists in grades 3-5 — will take the stage mid-morning, followed by demonstrations from Legend Martial Arts and University of Gymnastics. The Sherman High School Jazz Cats perform over the lunch hour. Chele Wells of Hitting the Streets Podcast will host an open mic session featuring local artists such as Rylin Rivas, Maddy Jones, Sarah Navy and BJ Spencer.

The day closes with Trashion XI, the annual "Trashion Show" presented by the Grayson College Arts Department. This year's theme, "Inspired by the Arts," challenges artists to create wearable works — from Renaissance masters to modern mavericks — made with at least 80% recyclable trash, found objects and discarded fabric material.

The festival also hosts several coordinated community events, including a blood drive, a free plant swap, and pet adoptions through the Sherman Animal Shelter.

 There will also be two recycled art shows by the Sherman ISD Early Childhood Centers and the Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG).

Attendees are encouraged to bring items for the festival's recycling stations, which accept a wide range of materials. The City of Sherman will collect Styrofoam, plastics, plastic bags, cardboard and paper. Other stations will accept textiles, electronic waste, unused medications, canning jars and documents for on-site shredding. Habitat for Humanity's ReStore truck will also be on-site to accept donations. A full list of accepted materials is available at earthdaytexoma.org/recycling.

Sponsors and vendors interested in participating should apply by April 8. Sponsorship details are available at earthdaytexoma.org/sponsor-information, and a list of current sponsors can be viewed at earthdaytexoma.org/current-sponsors.

For more information, visit www.earthdaytexoma.org.