Join State Senator Carolyn Comitta and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine at the Fourth Annual Chester County Earth Day Festival on April 18
Local Leaders and Community Partners Come Together to Celebrate Environmental Stewardship
(Berwyn, PA) – Chester County’s fourth annual Earth Day Festival features a variety of family-friendly activities on Saturday, April 18 – thanks to the efforts of State Senator Carolyn Comitta and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. All in the community are invited to enjoy a day of fun at the Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) in celebration of Earth Day.
Hosted on the 54-acre campus of UMLY, the festival includes a variety of free activities from 10 AM – 1 PM such as tree-planting, canoeing, meeting animal ambassadors from UMLY’s Nature Center and participating in stream studies, bird walks, robotics demos and more!
Sponsored by Shreiner Tree Care, the event is free and open to the public. Other activities include face painting, live music performed by Em McKeever, Meadowlark and Jim Shirey and Friends, fitness demos with the YGBW Fit Truk, and more than 25 vendors offering exhibits and demonstrations. Food trucks will provide lunch for purchase.
Shared Commitment to Environmental Stewardship
“I love how the community has come together to make the Earth Day Festival an annual tradition in Chester County. Spring is a season of rebirth and rejuvenation. It’s a time to get outside, get some exercise, and get closer to nature, and the Upper Main Line YMCA is a perfect place to do all three,” said State Senator Carolyn Comitta. “I want to thank the YMCA and all our partners and sponsors who make this day of learning, connection, and environmental action possible.”
Comitta serves as Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee for the state of Pennsylvania.
“We are grateful for Senator Comitta’s continued support of the Chester County Earth Day Festival, as we recognize that caring for our environment is essential to building strong, healthy communities where everyone can thrive,” said Brian Raicich, Executive Director of UMLY. “We are especially proud to host this important event on our 54‑acre campus, which serves as a living classroom—featuring our Environmental & STEM Education Complex, farm animals, nature trails, the headwaters of Darby Creek and Pennsylvania’s first conservation easement.”
Shreiner Tree Care again serves as the title sponsor for the event and has served as the arborist for UMLY’s campus, including the Cassatt Preserve, for more than 30 years. The team from Shreiner Tree Care will lead tree-planting activities during the Earth Day Festival. Guests are encouraged to bring a shovel and dig in to family-friendly fun.
In addition to tree-planting, the event will feature more than 25 vendors who are committed to ensuring a sustainable future in Chester County.
A Healthy Home for Healthy Kids
Chester County’s Earth Day Festival will be held in conjunction with the Y’s Healthy Kids Day event, empowering kids and families to focus on healthy habits throughout the summer and beyond. Together, the events highlight the connection between environmental health and public health.
“Spending less time on screens and more time outdoors benefits the well‑being of both families and our planet,” said Raicich. “The Chester County Earth Day Festival combined with Healthy Kids Day creates the perfect opportunity to unplug, enjoy nature, and connect with family, friends, and community.”
Both events are open to the community and free to attend.
About the Chester County Earth Day Festival: https://ymcagbw.org/events/chester-county-earth-day-festival
About Senator Comitta: https://www.pasenatorcomitta.com
Environmental Education at YGBW: https://ymcagbw.org/nature-and-environmental-education-programs-ymca
Healthy Kids Day at the Y: https://ymcagbw.org/healthy-kids-day-y
About the YMCA of Greater Brandywine
The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW), an association of nine YMCAs and Program Centers serving nearly 112,000 people across Chester County, is a leading non-profit organization committed to building community. We strive to nurture the potential of every child, promote healthy living and foster social responsibility through life-changing programs for all. YGBW raises funds to provide financial assistance to those unable to pay the standard rates. In 2025, $2.8 million was awarded to ensure that all people have access to childcare, summer camp, programs and memberships at YGBW. To learn more, visit ymcagbw.org.