Earth Day Festival

The Earth Day Festival at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in Vigo County, Indiana, takes place on April 26, 2025, from 11 am to 3 pm on the grounds of the Sisters of Providence. It offers nature shows, earth-related craft activities suitable for all ages, demonstrations of spinning, weaving, and felting, and opportunities to visit alpacas. The event also features food and craft vendors and is fully handicapped accessible.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is an unincorporated community in northwestern Vigo County, dominated by the grounds of the Sisters of Providence congregation, who founded the area in 1840. The Sisters have a rich history of service, prayer, education, and environmental stewardship centered at their motherhouse there. Their campus includes places like the Church of the Immaculate Conception and shrines, which add a spiritual dimension to the festival setting.

The festival vibe is family-friendly and educational, connecting visitors with nature and traditional craft techniques. Visitors can engage hands-on with sustainable arts like spinning and weaving fibers, and attend nature presentations that foster appreciation for the environment. Alpaca visits add a unique interactive element that ties in with natural fiber crafts.

While a precise schedule is not provided, the festival runs continuously from late morning to mid-afternoon and likely features staggered craft demonstrations throughout the hours. Activities such as crafting booths, nature shows, and alpaca interactions create a varied itinerary encouraging exploration across the Saints Mary-of-the-Woods grounds.

The founding Sisters of Providence originally came to Indiana in 1840 to establish a congregation focused on education and justice, with many sisters now living and ministering on the grounds where the festival is hosted. This history underscores a legacy of community and care for creation that shapes the festival’s focus on earth-friendly arts and education.

In summary:

• Event: Earth Day Festival
• Date & Time: April 26, 2025, 11 am - 3 pm
• Location: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods grounds, Vigo County, Indiana (Sisters of Providence motherhouse area)
• Activities:
  • Nature shows
  • Earth-themed crafts for all ages
  • Spinning, weaving, felting demonstrations
  • Alpaca visits
  • Food and craft vendors
• Accessibility: Handicapped accessible
• Atmosphere: Family-oriented, educational, eco-friendly, community focused
• Historical context: Rooted in the legacy of the Sisters of Providence founded in 1840 with a mission of service and sustainability

This event situates visitors in a scenic spiritual and historic environment while engaging them actively with nature and sustainable arts.