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.”