An Earth Day celebration on Saturday drew approximately 200 people to the Sheldon Community Arts hangar in downtown Talkeetna.

Talkeetna greeted Earth Day with signs of spring, chirping birds and pussy willows stretching towards the blue sky.

Outside the Hangar, Will Taygan of Petersville demonstrated how to make biodiesel out of salmon fish oil. Inside, 18 vendors offered everything from fair trade coffee, information on sustainability issues, biodiesel and recycling. Local artists and knitters showed off their handicraft of recycled totes, rugs and hats made out of discarded wool and clothes.  In the gallery upstairs, third and fourth grade students displayed artwork and haiku poems about Earth Day.

Event coordinator Colleen Love said that residents brought their recyclables to the event, filling a van to the brim with cardboard, plastic and aluminum trash. She said that a lot of Talkeetna folks are interested in the concept of sustainable living and that Earth Day is always a fun and positive community event.

Story and photo by Diana Haecker