Washington State and Oregon happen to be two of my most favorite states to visit, although I never ever get out there anymore. As a greenie, it’s amazing to see all of the incredible products and ideas for kids and families coming from these areas. They’re almost like ground zero for green living. If you live there, lucky you. Enjoy these sure to be inspiring Earth Day events. Hi Ben and Sio!
Oregon
Portland - The City Repair Project, an all-volunteer grassroots organization around Oregon, is throwing a huge “Dance of the Dinosaur” Earth Day extravaganza at Overlook Park in North Portland. With three stages of entertainment, and over 150 booths, I’d say this is the place to be!
Starting at various locations around Portland - Ride your Bike to Overlook Park with BikeEarthDay organized riding groups!
Silverton - Earth Day at The Oregon Garden and their “Green Footprints” theme - what a perfect place to spend a day with the Earth!
Portland - Join the “Party for the Planet” at the Oregon Zoo, focusing on climate change and their Year of the Polar Bear exhibit. Stay for the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival!
Dorena - Cedar Creek Botanicals is hosting an Herb Walk for Earth Day - enjoy natural (and wild herbs) on 10 acres!
Lincoln City - This two day event focuses on global warming solutions, and will include live music, informative lectures, face painting, and ooh, fire dancers!
Washington State
Various locations around Washington State - This is THE RESOURCE for Earth Day events around Washington State. Events include wildlife events, park appreciation and clean up events, film fests…you name, you can find it!
Seattle - The “Global to Local” Earth Day Benefit celebrates local citizens doing extraordinary work for the environment. Tickets are $25.
Many thanks to Jillian, who so graciously emailed me a list of goings-on around Minneapolis, a place I’ve never been to but know they love to be green. Email me if you know of events in your area!
Various locations around Minneapolis - Join in on the 14th Annual Earth Day Watershed Clean up at one of the 36 parks in the Minneapolis area!
Minneapolis Recycle Run 5K - Spring is finally here, so get out and run off some of your winter blues! There’s also a Kid’s half-mile run. First 500 who register get a ticket to a Twins game!
St. Louis Park - Celebrate Earth Day with a festival featuring local green organizations, and a kid’s concert with “KidPower with Rachael” environmentally-based music and fun!
Duluth - The University of Minnesota’s Earth Club is hosting their 3rd annual “Earth Think” Earth Fest at Lief Erickon Park.
Como Park Zoo - Celebrate the opening of the new Children’s Gallery with the “Party for the Planet”. Learn about recycling, water gardens, and how to lower energy consumption, or just enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings.
There’s so much going on in the city that never sleep for Earth Day, I probably missed a lot. Check local papers for more information…but here’s what I found scouring the web. Most events are April 19th and 20th, and are free and open to the public!
Various - Search the New York State Parks database for Earth Day information at a park near you!
New York City - “Earth Day New York” at Grand Central Station looks like it’s going to be larger than life. With giant earth images hanging from the gigantic rafters and a weekend-long indoor and outdoor fair, it’s a great place to spend Earth Day with the family.
New York City - the Earth Day Celebration in Central Park urges you to bring a blanket and stay a while. There’s going to be a concert, planting classes, kid’s crafts, tree tours, even recycled material instrument making!
New York City, East Harlem - Join JetBlue Airways and New York Restoration Project for the “One Thing That’s Green” project of planting trees around this eclectic neighborhood.
Fort Greene, Brooklyn - NYC’s first “eco-eatery,” Habana Outpost, celebrates Earth Day is going all out with their Earth Day Expo, featuring red worm composting, a recycled art show, beekeeping classes, arts and crafts, and plenty of shopping.
Prospect Park, Brooklyn - Earth Week at the Audubon Center will feature a different earth theme each day, including nature crafts, tree walks, bird talks, films, and more.
South Bronx - the GetGreen Earth Fest on Saturday, April 19th from 12-4pm at St. Mary’s Park will raise environmental awareness mixed with the spirit of the South Bronx, including dancing and a music competition. For more details, call 718.533.5291
Westchester (Valhalla) - Westchester’s Earth Day Celebration at the Kensico Dam includes live music, cell phone recycling centers, alternative fuel car displays, kid’s activities, and park clean-up volunteering. Check out Westchester’s other events around the county throughout the month of April.
Rye - the Rye Nature Center is hosting an Earth Day celebration with workshops, a nature poetry hike, nature crafts, and a kid’s art show.
As one of the greenest states in the US, California will be living it up this Earth Day, with expos, clean-ups, and parties for everyone. Check to see if there are events going on in your area…
San Francisco Zoo - join the wildest Earth Day party at the San Francisco Zoo for the “Party for the Planet”. Eco-exhibits mix with fun animal awareness activites for kids who love to mingle with nature.
San Francisco - McLaren Park - “Nature in the City” is a free celebration that will transform the park into an ecological classroom!
Napa Valley - “Earth Day Napa” will feature tree planting, kids yoga, solar power demonstrations, kite building, and more.
Los Angeles and San Diego - the traveling Green Living Expo will be in Cali for Earth month. One of the most comprehensive green Expos out there, check out their Green Kids section, as well as featured exhibitors for health and beauty, green building, and an eco-fashion show.
San Bernadino - the Earth Day Fair and Expo 2008 is encouraging participants to “Build Green Habits” with hands on activities, electric go karts, wellness seminars, and organic food.
Santa Cruz - celebrate Earth Day at the Farmer’s Market, or take a bird walk at Neary Lagoon!
Sacramento - get some exercise on Earth Day at the Earth, Water, Air, and Soil Foundation’s Earth Day 5k/10k run and walk, for children and adults! Stay after for lunch and the river clean-up.
Rocklin - Environmental Education and Exotic Wildlife Rescue Center is hosting a Children’s Earth Day celebration featuring the earth friendly “Toy Laboratory,” food and games!
Dos Lagos in Corona - the second annual Green Valley Earth Festival will feature live music, a children’s art theater, face painting, and a Green Career Day.
Pacific Palisades - various events throughout the month of April, including classes on sustainable gardening and eating.
Santa Margarita - meet local farmers at the Earth Day Food and Wine Festival!
Roseville - “Celebrate the Earth” is a joint venture between the City of Roseville, Dry Creek Conservancy, Placer Nature Center and Sierra College to promote a sustainable future.
Hayward - Earth Day Festival, with a children’s art contest and creek clean-up.
Various locations - California State Parks Foundation is hosting clean-up and other volunteer opportunities on April 19th. Check here to find a park near you to volunteer!
We’re gearing up for Earth Day, and I’ve been reminiscing about the big celebration I took part in when I was in college in Washington, DC, complete with life-sized nests and Boys to Men performing (this was 1998, people). This year, with going green and eco-consciousness all the rage, Earth Day 2008 will take on new meaning for many people - and draw many more families to happenings near them. I’m going to make a bold attempt to list Earth Day events in cities across the country, by state. I’ll be starting with my second-home state of Florida, and work my way around the US. If you know of events you’d like listed, let me know and I’d be happy to add it to my posts!
So, aside from worrying about rain in Florida, there are many wonderful Earth Day events that involve nature appreciation, local clean-ups, or just partying it up by the beach. Most events are free, so get out there - there’s something for everyone!
Florida Keys - from Key West all the way up the island chain, the Keys are celebrating their unique surroundings (including the only living coral barrier reef in the US) with everything from an environmental art fair, puppet shows, or what may be the highlight for many, a sand sculpture event spelling out “Living Green is Key,” which will be visible from above!
Miami area - Earthfest 2008 in Key Biscayne will feature performances, nature-themed activities, and many eco-sponsored educational booths.
Fort Lauderdale - The Fort Lauderdale Museum of Discovery and Science is going all out with Solar car racing; organic gardening lessons; organic foods; a “bat chat”; and special 3D IMAX showings all weekend
Deerfield Beach - from an eco-Movie Night (The Lorax by the beach, anyone?), to a beach clean up, celebrate Earth Day all month!
Boca Raton - Visit the Sandoway House Nature Center for the “Great American Clean-Up” for Earth Day along the coast of Delray Beach; stay for the shark feedings and craft time for kids.
Lake Worth - Clear Channel’s Earth Day “Green Festival” for eco-education and enjoyment by the Intracoastal waterway!
Central Florida - Downtown Orlando will be bustling with tree planting, music, eco-vendors, and more!
Tampa Bay area - The big party is at the University of South Florida Sundome for a huge Expo of workshops, exhibits, and going green fun!
Gainesville - The Florida Museum of Natural History will be hosting a music-filled Earth Day celebration, and launching their environmental education CD-ROM produced by the Florida Defenders of the Environment.
Titusville (North Brevard) - Friends of the Enchanted Forest presents their 12th annual Earth Day “Family Fun Fest,” complete with face-painting, storytime, and puppets by the pond.
Bay County (Panama City area) - Earth Day Bay County includes highlights the seagrass restoration project. Bring in an incandescent lightbulb and get a free compact florescent bulb!
