Durant shines at Earth Day Festival

DURANT, Okla. (KTEN) — Rain or sunshine, regardless of Mother Nature's wrath, the Earth Day spirit shined brightly on Saturday.

Durant residents banded together for the city's Earth Day Festival to keep it clean and green for the holiday.

"Everything here today is really focused on sustainability," said co-organizer Donna Murphy. "We have information on recycling, planting trees, water quality, and so it's all tied into Earth Day and to sustaining our natural beauty and natural resources."

Visitors were encouraged actively participate.

"People can bring their recyclable materials here: old tires, old oil... any kind of recyclable materials and drop them off," Murphy said.

Thirty-five businesses signed up for booths, and more than 15 organizations helped plan for the day.

"We've got folks like Stuteville Chevrolet to collect motor oil; First United Bank is shredding documents and paper; Drug Task Force for Bryan County is taking back old medicine," said Jeremy Spence, a member of the Durant Sustainability Coalition and the area's Chamber of Commerce.

It was also a day not to be forgotten with the local Girl Scouts Club. Since January, the team has played a large role in setting up the festivities.

"These girls have been working so hard for months," said Troop 2744 leader Janell Buford. "They have been getting together weekly multiple times a week and their silver awards are all focused on sustainability, planting trees, and recycling."

The message of Earth Day continues on in Durant as a reminder of the need to care for our world every day.