Let the Earth Day Festivities Begin!
This coming Tuesday, April 22nd, will be the 44th Annual Earth Day. During the premier Earth Day, in 1970, 20 million Americans participated by demonstrated against the deterioration of the environment leading to the creation of the EPA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act. Earth Day began in the United States but is now celebrated worldwide. Though Earth Day is less than a week away it is not too late to attend a pre planned even or even start one of your own.
This year’s Earth Day theme is Green Citites. It is the hope that this year Earth Day will mobilize citizens to encourage their cities to make greener policies and decisions.
Below I have compiled a list of interesting events in a few major US Cities. If you do not see any local events below I suggest visiting Earthday.org and using the Events Tool Bar (find the local events search on the right). You can also join the Billion Acts of Green Campaign or Mobilize the Earth Campaign.
1. Washington DC
This year Washington DC will celebrate Earth Day April 21 through 23 at Union Station. There will be a bunch of interactive activities and experiences in hopes to raise awareness of the environment. The event will be held by the Earth Day Network and sponsored by NASA.
Other Earth Day events in the Washington DC area include Earth Day at the National Zoo (April 22), Earth Day at the United States Botanical Gardens (April 25) Thee Green living Expo at George Mason University (April 26), and Earth Day in Alexandria at Ben Brenman Park (April 26).
Also, Don’t forget to check out the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
2. Chicago
Friends of the Parks will be hosting a Parks and Preserves Cleanup in over 100 Chicago Parks on Saturday April 26 from 9 am until noon. To find the park nearest you go to http://www.earthdaychicago.com/ and click on “View Registered Sites”
3. New York City
Earth Day New York, a non profit, is holding exhibits April 22 at Union Square and April 23 and 24 at Grand Central Station. Events will include Earth day crafts and a Green motor vehicle runway show. Earth Day New York
“The Green Festival” will take place at Pier 94 on April 26 and 27th . The Green Festival is the largest sustainability event in the world and includes an array of speakers and exhibits addressing fair trade, green business, jobs, food, social justice, and fashion. This year it will include a Yoga Pavilion and a Sustainable Beer and Wine Garden.
4. New Orleans
The New Orleans Earth Day Festival and Green Business Expo, organized by the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, is taking place April 19 Louis Armstrong Park. This year’s festival theme is Go GreenArmy. Activities include bingo, solar powered daiquiris, interactive art, a second line, and lots of live music.
5. San Francisco
Earth Day San Francisco is scheduled to take place April 19 at Civic Center Plaza. There will be an electronic dance stage, a eco-fashion show, bike repair lessons, artists from burning man, and cooking demonstrations, to name a few activities.
6. Austin, Texas
Austin Earth Day will take place April 26 at Mueller Hanger and give attendees the opportunity to listen to a range of speakers, participate in interactive community drumming, dance, and listen to great music. Educational demonstrations for all ages will be available on topics like cooking, composting, and turning dumpsters into livable homes.
7. Philadelphia
On April 19 there will be the 33rd 5K Run for Clean Air. The Navy Yard will also holding education sessions for Earth on April 21 through April 25.
For more Earth Day Events Click Here or feel free to post your (or your city’s) events in the comments section.
Happy Earth Day!
hands with dirt via shutterstock