The 35th anniversary of Earth Day will be celebrated Saturday, April 16, on the Third Street Promenade, which will be transformed into an Eco-Fest from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.with 60 exhibits and a solar-powered stage.
Activities of special interest to kids will include demonstrations of the Yo Stick by the National Champion, face painting with Star Oakland, and exotic wildlife. MC for the day will be Frank Padilla, Jr., a magician, who will be assisted by “Pancho Loco Wacky Scientist” and Smokey Bear.
In addition, “Green Power Girl” Susan Cox will demonstrate the ways in which young people can make a clean energy future.
The Rhymin’ Reason duo Rich and Tonya Mandl’s original music and lyrics convey environmental lessons. Singer-songwriter Steven Longfellow Fiske, Suzanne Teng and Mystic Journey, eco-musician Jon Sherman, The Family Rock, and Xylem Laila Dey, Butoh Dancer, are also scheduled to perform.
Among the exhibits will be Star Eco-Station’s wild animals, Whale Alliance’s model whale, Heal the Bay and Ballona Wetlands nature demonstrations, a natural gas-powered Big Blue Bus, Toyota Prius and Honda hybrid vehicles, solar energy systems, organic gardening, energy efficient appliances, hemp and organic cotton clothing displays, and much more.
“We are pleased to bring so many family oriented entertainers to Earth Day, because kids can help urge parents to buy environmentally friendly products, which reduces pollution and global warming, making a healthier future for all of us,” said Director Jim Stewart. “Earth Day helps people learn about environmental solutions already in the marketplace and learn effective ways to take action.”
15 thousand people are expected to attend.The event is sponsored by Wild Oats Natural Marketplace, City of Santa Monica, Natural Resources Defense Council, Yogi Times magazine, LA Weekly and the Santa Monica Mirror. It is organized by Earth Day Los Angeles, a project of the non-profit International Humanities Center. For more information, see www.EarthDayLA.org or call (888) 295-8372.
