FORT DRUM — Colleen B. Bernard, education coordinator for the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park, Watertown, has an 8-foot boa constrictor wrapped around her right leg, its head lying across her lap.

"This is just really what they do," Ms. Bernard said. "In a few minutes I'll have to move him because my leg is starting to fall asleep."

The zoo was participating in Fort Drum's ninth annual Earth Day Fair on Friday, showcasing some of its animals for visitors to see and touch.

"It's an appreciation of the Earth and the animals that inhabit it," Ms. Bernard said.

Christopher J. Pitts, 9, son of Staff Sgt. William L. and Katheryn H. Pitts, Fort Drum, said the zoo animals were "cool" and his favorite one was the boa constrictor because it can swallow its prey whole.

Heather C. Wagner, Fort Drum's Public Works Environmental Division public relations outreach coordinator, said more than 400 people attended the event, held at Remington Pond.

She said that "hands-on" displays, such as the one the zoo presented, are always the most popular.

There also were exhibits on bird-watching in Northern New York, environmental management on post and the archaeological history of the area. The fair also featured forest walks and environmentally friendly arts and crafts.

Ms. Wagner said this year's theme was "Sustaining the Environment for a Secure Future," and to that end, the installation handed out reusable grocery bags and recycled newspaper pencils to visitors.

Children also could make kites out of paper bags and bird feeders out of plastic milk jugs.

Christian M. Perry, 6, son of Spc. Ronald D. and Kristen M. Perry, Fort Drum, said he was excited to use his bird feeder and hoped it would attract cardinals because it was red. He also liked looking at the fish that biologists had collected from the pond.

Kristin N. Rich, assistant director of property management with Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes and a fair volunteer, said it is important to get the children interested in the environment.

"Kids are the ones who can help their parents learn things," she said. "They're very receptive to new ideas."

Josephine E. Pitts, 15, Christopher's sister, said the fair was "really fun." She said she liked learning about the history of the area's American Indians. Josephine also said the fair taught her about how she could help the environment, including avoiding the use of plastic grocery bags and the importance of recycling, which she plans to do more of now.

Ms. Wagner said that was her hope for the event, that people would take the information they learned there and apply it to their lives.

"I strongly believe that Earth Day is every day," she said.