By Nora Weber

The Bradley Beach Green Fair is an annual event held in Riley Park to honor Earth Day, set up by the Bradley Beach tourism director, Amy Hall. This year, there were about 30-35 community groups and businesses at the green fair on April 21, and BBES was one of them.

At our table, we sold pottery vases that we made at Lovelight Handmade planted with marigolds. We also sold vegetable seedlings that we grew from seed in Mr. Sauer’s classroom. Environmental Club members presented information about the new aquaponics system BBES purchased this school year with the help of a grant from the state. The students from the Environmental and Garden Clubs worked in shifts to sell the pottery and plants. Mrs. Sauer, Mr. Cosgrove, and Mrs. Dizefalo also helped us out with our sales. Mrs. Dizefalo stopped by to set up and display the second graders’ recycled art project made with the help of green artist Lisa Bagwell. Even our mascot Bradley the Seagull was there to show his school spirit for Earth Day.

Since the pottery was made for free at Lovelight by the student club members, and they were our biggest hit, we raised $411, a good amount of money for the Garden and Environmental Clubs.

Two years ago, we also sold plants at the green fair supervised by the Environmental and Garden Club teacher, Mrs.Bialek. That year, we prepared by getting seedlings for popular vegetables and plants like tomatoes, beans, mint, and flowers. Kids were going around asking people if they wanted to buy plants, and it was a fun time. We sold almost all the plants we had.

Hopefully, in the future, we can continue this Earth Day tradition.