The Mercer Public Library will host its 8th annual Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 18 at 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will include activities, information from local organizations and businesses, recycling collection, refreshments, door prizes, and more for all ages.

The Mercer Public Library Earth Day Fair is possible thanks to a sponsorship by the Friends of the Mercer Library. For more information, contact the Library Director, Julia Pusateri, at director@mercerpubliclibrary.org or by calling 715-476-2366.

Door Prizes

This year’s door prizes include:

• Raised Garden Bed with Lockable Wheels, 55.5″x24″x32″
• Zero Waste Kitchen: Countertop compost bin, Compostable resealable snack bags, 30 pack of 10″x10″ washable cotton towels, Bamboo dish brush with handle, and Clean & Green: 101 Hints and Tips for a More Eco-Friendly Home by Nancy Birtwhistle
• Kid’s Outdoor Adventures: ECO rPET Kids Backpack (Dinosaurs) made with 100% recycled plastic water bottles, Bug Catcher Kit, and Mission Earth Eco Adventures for Kids: Hands-On Science, Recycling, and Conservation Projects by Sarah Miller

Stop by the Library during regular hours to take a sneak peek at the goodies to be won during the Earth Day Fair.

Recycling Programs

Every year, the Mercer Library brings a number of different ways you can recycle hard to dispose of items. This year will include:

• Prescription and over-the-counter pill bottle donations for Matthew 25: Ministries *Bottles must be clean, empty, recapped, label and residue-free plastic pill bottles. The Mercer Public Library cannot accept Rx medicines and bottles not appropriate for recycling.*
• Denim recycling (90% or higher cotton content) for Cotton’s Blue Jeans Go Green program
• New or gently used shoes for the Soles4Souls program
• Plastic bags and film for the NexTrex Recycling Challenge program to benefit the area organizations
• Rechargeable and single use batteries (including lithium, lead, nickel-based, and alkaline) for The Battery Network

While Mercer Library makes every effort to ensure that the organizations listed truly serve sustainable missions, their inclusion in our Earth Day Fair should not be considered an endorsement of the organizations, their beliefs or missions, or the individuals associated with the organization.

Event Vendors

The Earth Day Fair provides an opportunity for businesses and organizations that support renewable energy, recycling, natural resources, silent sports, environmental education, or other sustainability topics to participate and connect with visitors to the Fair. If you are interested in reserving a table, there is no cost to reserve a table and all are welcome. Contact Library Director Julia Pusateri at director@mercerpubliclibrary.org to register.

2026 Earth Day vendors include: The Friends of the Mercer Public Library, the Mercer Seed Library, Susan Apps-Bodilly, Walk for Water, Northwoods Land Trust, North Country Trail Association Heritage Chapter, Woods and Blooms Garden Club, Iron County Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts (ICORE), MECCA Trails, the Gem Club, and Bruce Bacon with his popular bird houses.

3rd Annual Water Walk

When: Saturday April 18, 2026 immediately following the Fair
Where: Mercer Public Library, 2648W Margaret Street
What: Join the 3rd Annual Water Walk, sponsored by the Mercer United Methodist Church to raise awareness and funds to dig wells and bring water into homes of the Navajo Nation in Arizona. This will be a short walk and all ages are welcome.

A Conversation With Susan Apps-Bodilly

When: Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 2:00-3:00pm
Where: Mercer Public Library, 2648W Margaret Street
What: We’re pleased to host Susan Apps-Bodilly and her presentation on “Seeds in Soil: Planting a Garden and Finding Your Roots” as a part of our A Conversation With… speakers’ series in conjunction with the Earth Day Fair.

Susan Apps-Bodily, author and teacher, joins us in exploring gardening, sharing stories, and thinking about how digging in soil connects us to gardeners around and before us. Apps-Bodily has also authored “One Room Schools: Stories from the Days of 1 Room, 1 Teacher, 8 Grades” and co-authored “Old Farm Country Cookbook: Recipes, Menus, and Memories” and “Timber! A Northwoods Story of Lumberjacks, Logging, and the Land” with her dad, Jerry Apps. She worked as an elementary and middle school teacher for more than 20 years.