Earth Festival

Saturday • May 9, 2026 • 10 - 3pm
SUNY Oneonta, Chase Auditorium

Workshops • Lectures • Activities • Food • Vendors • Recycling

An annual celebration of sustainability, community, and environmental stewardship that brings together families, students, local organizations, makers, and environmental partners for a full day of learning, inspiration, and hands-on activities.

This year, Earth Festival is sponsored by Arc Otsego

People organizing and sorting goods at an outdoor recycling or donation event with boxes, bags, and various items on tables and the ground in a grassy field under cloudy skies.
Two people standing in the back of a moving truck filled with old electronics and appliances, smiling and looking at the camera.
A woman demonstrates painting with colorful paints on a table, engaging a man and a child in a crafts activity at an indoor event.
An indoor community event or fair takes place in a gymnasium, with multiple tables and booths set up for various organizations and vendors. People walk around, engaging with the displays and each other. The gym has a wooden floor, a basketball hoop,
A man is showing small animal skulls to children at an indoor educational event, with various animal pelts and educational materials on the table and children in the background.
Table of various potted plants in glass terrariums and decorative ceramic containers, displayed at an indoor event.
OCCA Board Members at Earth Festival
A wildlife rehab specialist at Earth Festival
Children viewing the Utica Zoomobile at the Earth Festival
OCCA interns serving ice cream at the 2024 Earth Festival.
Raffle baskets at the OCCA Earth Festival

Get Involved with Earth Festival 🌱

Earth Festival is powered by community—neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, students, and volunteers all coming together to celebrate and care for our shared environment. There are several ways to participate, whether you’re lending a hand for a few hours or partnering with us more deeply.

  • 🌿 Volunteer at Earth Festival


    Volunteers are the heart of Earth Festival. From welcoming visitors and helping with children’s activities to supporting recycling stations and event logistics, volunteers play a key role in making the day run smoothly.

    No special experience is required—just a willingness to help and be part of a fun, community-centered event. Volunteer shifts are flexible, and volunteers are welcome to enjoy the festival before or after their shift.

    Become a Volunteer

  • 🐝 Host a Table or Exhibit


    Earth Festival brings together environmental organizations, educators, community groups, and mission-aligned businesses to share hands-on activities, demonstrations, and information with the public.

    Tabling is a great opportunity to connect directly with families and community members, share your work, mission, or services, and inspire environmental action through interactive experiences.

    We welcome nonprofits, community groups, and businesses whose work aligns with environmental stewardship, sustainability, education, and community well-being.

    Become a Vendor / Exhibitor

  • 🌎 Sponsor Earth Festival


    Earth Festival is Otsego County’s largest annual environmental celebration, drawing hundreds of attendees from across the region. Sponsorships help keep the event free and accessible while supporting hands-on education, local vendors, and interactive programming.

    Sponsors receive meaningful recognition before and during the event and demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and community engagement.

    Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels.

    Become a Sponsor

  • 🌱 Share Your Earth Month Event


    Earth Festival is just one part of a larger season of environmental action across Otsego County. Organizations (and businesses too!) are welcome to submit information about their events. All submissions are subject to review by the Earth Festival committee. There is no fee for this promotion, but donations and sponsorships to offset Earth Festival expenses are certainly welcome!

    Submitted events will be included in OCCA’s Earth Month Calendar of Events, which will be promoted online and featured as a full-page newspaper ad connected to Earth Festival outreach. This ad will run in April (around mid month) and will include environmentally focused activities & events that are scheduled to take place between Friday, April 17 and Sunday, May 10, 2026.

    Events can include walks, workshops, cleanups, talks, youth programs, volunteer opportunities, and more.  Please submit your event by April 12 to guarantee placement in our full-page ad. 

    Share Here

This year, Earth Festival is proudly sponsored by Arc Otsego: