Gulf Shores hosts annual Earth Day fair

Kara Mautz
Reporter
kara@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 4/26/23

The field at Gulf Shores Middle School was buzzing with excitement as the annual Gulf Shores High School Earth Day fair took place on April 21.The event was open to all Gulf Shores City School …

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Gulf Shores hosts annual Earth Day fair

Posted

The field at Gulf Shores Middle School was buzzing with excitement as the annual Gulf Shores High School Earth Day fair took place on April 21.

The event was open to all Gulf Shores City School students, and elementary students were encouraged to invite family members to experience all Mother Earth has to offer. Amanda Talantis, hospitality and tourism teacher said the high school students organized the fair and recruited community members to set up booths.

"Most of the booths are hands-on, and some bring animals or plants," Talantis said. "There is live music and food sales going on, and the culinary and hospitality classes have made ecofriendly, vegan and vegetarian food."

Talantis said the featured food items include fruit and smoothie pops, apple cinnamon crisps, blueberry muffins, pickle pops, fruit skewers and vegetables with hummus.

One of the most unique booths featured student led project "trashy fashion," showcasing sustainable clothing created from recycled materials.

"Our middle school science and art classes have collaborated on the project to bring awareness about sustainable fashion," Talantis said. "They will be strutting around the field in the clothes they designed."

Anayia Mccutchen, 8th grade student, said Pinterest and the 2021 film "Cruella" largely inspired her design.

"I looked up ideas of trash fashion and shaped it into our own, and a lot of it came from Cruella de Vil" Mccutchen said. "We have been working on the designs for about two weeks and our models will be out here wearing the clothes all day."

Besides modeling sustainable fashion, students at the booth also sold thrifted and donated clothing throughout the day.

Talantis said the Earth Day Fair is always an exciting day for students, allowing them the opportunity to get outside and creatively connect with nature.

"We have several workshops open to the high schoolers, as well as a scavenger hunt for native plants, bike rides in Gulf State Park, nature walks and disc golf events," Talantis said. "I want to cultivate a love for Mother Nature, and we try to have the kids actively involved and using the knowledge from their lessons taught along the way."