Hudson to host Fresh Air Fest, Trashy Art Show
By Angela Greiner Community Reporter

PHOTO/SUBMITTED Founder of the Fresh Air Festival Danielle Moskowitz and artist Taylor Polomarenko prepare for the upcoming festival and Trashy Art Show.

Hudson - Live entertainment, "Trashy Art" display plus a Nordic walking demonstration equal the annual Hudson Fresh Air Fest, which will be held Saturday May 10 to promote environmental awareness within the town.

Danielle Moskowitz is a Hudson resident and active volunteer who decided to organize the first annual event last year because she felt that the community has a responsibility to take care of the earth.

"The problem for many people is that they are not informed," Moskowitz said. "The Fresh Air Fest is an event to inform the citizens of Hudson of ways they can make a difference right here locally."

The event will begin with an organized morning spring clean-up from 9 a.m. to noon at the Assabet River Rail Trail. During the clean-up, several groups will be dispatched to spruce up the town's new Skate and Sprinkle Park and to label storm drains to prevent waste disposal.

"If we take care of Hudson by cleaning up trash, we take pride in our beautiful community," Moskowitz said.

From noon to 3 p.m., residents are invited to the festival, which will be held at the caboose on the Rail Trail. According to Moskowitz, over 200 community members participated in last year's event.

This year's festival will host a variety of activities, including displays of hybrid cars and local businesses, a musical performance by singer-songwriter Gary Backstrom (formerly from the band Jiggle the Handle), children's crafts, and lots of fun food.

The event will also feature the second "Trashy Art Show," a highlight of last year's event, with submissions ranging from flowers and robots to hot air balloons. The organizers of this year's festival are inviting children of all ages and parent to once again get creative with recycling.

"This is all part of living better," Moskowitz said. "If we recycle, we can reduce waste and protect our environment."

For residents interested in submitting an original artistic masterpiece for the show, submissions are due on the day of the festival at the caboose at noon, along with a completed entry form. All artwork must be constructed out of recyclables except for paint, tape, glue and other types of fasteners.

All entries will receive a HP scientific calculator; other prizes will be given for categories like Best Artistic Expression, Most Environmentally Friendly, Best Group Effort, and Most Impressive Youth and Adult Entries.

Moskowitz is still recruiting volunteers for the event.

"After I had children, I realized that there were so many little things that I could do to help make a difference and create a better world for my children to live," she said. "If everyone does at least one thing, together we can make a huge difference."

For more information about the upcoming event or to volunteer or participate, visit the website at www.freshairfest.com.