### Spring in Portland Oregon
The **Spring Equinox Festival** on March 18th, 2012, was one of our biggest events yet, with about 50 attendees. It started at 9:30 AM with four activity stations scattered around the [Seed Village](/Seed_Village), then continued with a concert by [Lori Henriques](http://www.reverbnation.com/lorihenriques), and concluding with brunch provided mainly by [Shelley](/Shelley) and [Brandon](/Brandon) (with a few dishes brought in by guests).
See also: [Story Tell and Sushi Feast in Ottawa Ontario](/Spring_Equinox_2012_-_March_19,_2012_Story_Tell_and_Sushi_Feast)
### Activity stations
#### Mural painting
The mural was originally intended to illustrate a nutrient cycle, but ended up more free-form (as with prior mural painting activities at [Earth Day 2010](/Earth_Day_2010) and [Earth Day 2011](/Earth_Day_2011)). A small, simplified diagram of the nitrogen cycle was included on the upper-right corner.
#### Planting and watering
Kids were invited to plant marigold seeds in cups of dirt, water them, and take them home.
#### Earth seasons demonstration
[Ben](/Ben) used a globe and a "sun" lamp to demonstrate how the seasons change based on how much sunlight hits various parts of the Earth during the course of a year.
#### Making ribbon streamers
This was an arts-and-crafts activity that also served as preparation for the Gathering Dance (see below).
### Music
#### Gathering dance
To attract everyone from the activity stations to the living room for the concert, Lori played a Jewish dance tune, and we got people to form a circle and dance to it while waving the ribbon streamers.
#### Concert
Lori played several of her nature-focused songs, such as "I Like the Ficus Tree" and "Thank You Bees," as well as a song from *Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood* and one from the recent movie *The Muppets.* She finished up with the song "[Something You Learn](/Something_You_Learn)" (for which [Ben](/Ben) is working on a music video).
### Brunch
The lovely food included baked French toast, John Wayne potatoes, homemade bran muffins, plenty of fruit, and pancakes that were made at the last minute.
