For many guests, like Leticia Tellez, Gateway Technical College’s Celebrate Earth Day has become a regional event.

It doesn’t matter where they live in the college’s three-county district of Kenosha County, Walworth County and Racine County, attendees from all of them can be found at either of the college’s two event sites: Gateway’s Elkhorn Campus or Kenosha Campus.

“I like coming to Celebrate Earth Day, but always go to Kenosha,” said Tellez. “This year, though, we had a tournament out here in Elkhorn. This was perfect, to be able to come to this event.

“I love it here. There’s a lot to do and people have been so friendly and welcoming.”

Tellez said she believes events like this are important to attend as a family.

“I want to teach my kids the importance of caring for the Earth, that it’s something they can do in their everyday lives,” said Tellez.

Abbie Ford, Gateway manager, community relations and communications, said Celebrate Earth Day was well-attended despite the colder temps and sleet in the morning.

“It’s spring in Wisconsin, so the chilly weather didn’t keep attendees away. This is our 15th year, and people have made the event a tradition in many ways and they certainly came out on Saturday, in Kenosha as well as Elkhorn,” said Ford.

“We had a lot of activities and a lot of energy. It was a great way for attendees to learn something new about making a difference for the environment and have fun at the same time. It was another great event.”

The Kenosha Campus featured many Earth-friendly activities, informational booths and children’s crafts. Prior to the general event, a Pike Creek restoration project was held on the campus as well.

The Elkhorn Campus also had a variety of activities as well as environmentally focused booths from local experts, as well as a petting zoo. Some parents even noted that they lived in Racine but came out to Elkhorn because of the petting zoo.

Gateway students also installed vegetable planter boxes and a connecting trellis at the Elkhorn Campus near the end of the event.

Photos of the event can be found here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAB6A5