SHERBURNE – All are invited to join Friends of Rogers in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Rogers Environmental Education Center.

“The 'Golden Anniversary’ of Rogers Center is truly a cause for celebration,” said Friends of Rogers Executive Director Simon Solomon.

A commemorative weekend of activities will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and culminate in a birthday celebration at 3:30 p.m., with official dignitaries and special recognition paid to the center's first director, John Weeks.

Coincidentally, New York State has designated Saturday as Get Outdoors Day. Saturday' will features a diverse sampling of recreational activities at Rogers Center from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Solomon said the celebration was a collaboration with the Adventure NY initiative and a number of hands-on demonstrations will be taking place. They include demonstrations on archery, bird watching, how to set up a camp, build a fire, fishing, gardening, hiking, nature photography, outdoor safety, and paddling, among others.

John Weeks, the founding director of Rogers Environmental Education Center, is the featured artist for this year’s Sherburne Arts Festival, a separate event also happening on Saturday in downtown Sherburne.

Weeks said he remembers his time in Sherburne fondly and is humbled by his selection as this year’s featured festival artist. “I’m absolutely delighted, because Rogers and Sherburne are pretty important to me,” he says. “We really loved Sherburne. It was a great place to live.”

In the initial planning phase during the 1960's, Weeks illustrated his vision of Rogers Center in a series of pen-and-ink drawings of the visitor center, walking trails, and vistas he imagined would greet future visitors. Those illustrations helped secure the initial funding for constructing Rogers Center.

The 92-year-old Baldwinsville resident said he is excited to be visiting with his artwork, which will be exhibited in Gaines Park during the Festival from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m. on Saturday the Friends of Rogers will host Weeks, along with government officials and community and business leaders, in a re-dedication ceremony of the Rogers Environmental Education Center. Following the ceremony, visitors will enjoy birthday treats created by students from the DCMO BOCES culinary program.