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EarthFair: a great way to spend a Sunday A quick guide to what to see and do at this landmark event. |
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San Diego EarthWorks annual EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. EarthFair 2008 will be our 19th anniversary. Each year, the EarthFair draws around 60,000 visitors. Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair 2008 will feature more than 250 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Kids’ Activity Area, five entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade (All Species Welcome) and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Show. If pictures speak to you louder than words, check out the EarthFair photo gallery. Exhibitors The exhibitors form the heart of EarthFair. They represent every type of environmental organization, governmental program and commercial enterprise with goods, services and causes that address our environment and quality of life. EarthFair exhibitor fees are graduated to allow everyone to participate, from the smallest club to the largest corporation. It’s impossible to list everything you’ll find at EarthFair: traditional conservation organizations, wildlife preservation groups, products made from natural and organically grown crops, organic gardening information, alternative energy vehicles, eco-tourism opportunities, many alternative and traditional health care products and services, pet adoption services, clean air and clean water products, rainforest preservation groups… the list goes on and on. If your organization, club, or company is interested in exhibiting at EarthFair, please visit www.EarthDayWeb.org. Special for Kids In our Children’s’ Activity Area, sponsored by Pardee Homes, you’ll find crafts, games, face painting, storytelling, and a hands-on activities for children of all ages. Activities are designed to educate, entertain and inspire youth, in the spirit of Earth Day. This year, participants will learn to make paper our of recycled junk mail, find out about recycling, make gift cards from recycled materials, and take part in a number of eco-friendly crafts. Our Children’s Stage features youth-oriented performances throughout the day. Entertainment EarthFair will feature five stages. We’ve already mentioned the Children’s Stage, featuring music, song and storytelling aimed at the younger set. The Sun Stage (behind the Hall of Champions), and Moon Stage (at Park and Presidents Way) will feature a variety of contemporary music by local artists. The Folk Music Stage (by the U.N. building), hosted by the San Diego Folk Music Heritage Society, will feature some of our city’s finest folk music artists. Finally, the Magic Stage, in front of the Lily Pond along El Prado, will host the “Wizard of Water” show: magic, music and dance all wrapped around water education. Green Building Exhibits in the Pan American Plaza showcase products and technologies that can make your home more environmentally sustainable. If you’re building a new structure, or adding to an existing home, alternative home-building technologies, such as straw bale and steel-frame construction, will be of interest. Find out about energy- and resource-saving products and materials, like energy-efficient appliances and low-E windows. A wide variety of solar electric systems - available now, to help you get off the grid - will be shown. eARTh Gallery The eARTh Gallery features works by artists using recycled materials or showing depictions of “Endangered Spaces” in San Diego County. The artwork will be presented next to the Children’s Area in the Pan American Plaza (close to the Auto Museum). Food Pavilion Tired of the nitrate-filled hot dogs and sugar-loaded sodas you usually get at large public events? Then step right up to our Food Pavilion for a change of pace. You’ll find out-of-the-ordinary vegetarian fare that will make you wish it was available in the park all year long. The Food Pavilion is located on the grass field by Park Blvd. and Presidents Way. Children’s Earth Parade The Children’s Earth Parade (All Species Welcome) starts at 10:30 am by the Spanish Village and marches through the Park to the Children’s Area in the Pan American Plaza. Participants are invited to dress up as endangered species, present their favorite earth-friendly messages. To find out more about the Children’s Earth Parade, including how you can participate, please visit www.EarthDayWeb.org. Cleaner Car Concourse The Cleaner Car Concourse features vehicles of all descriptions that run on alternative fuels (hybrids included) or are particularly energy efficient. This isn’t just “the future”: these are vehicles being used on the road today. The vehicles will be on display in the Pan American Plaza. Do you have a vehicle that belongs in the show? Visit the website for more information and to register. Stuff to Buy You’ll see lots of stuff to buy at EarthFair. As in previous years, non-profit organizations are free to sell goods and services to support their operations. In fact, for many of the smaller non-profits, EarthFair can be a significant source of funding for their activities. So, if you want to get some holiday gifts real early, you can make sure your money will be going to a cause you want to support. Getting There EarthFair is the largest event that happens in Balboa Park, and sixty-thousand people can create real transportation problems. If you arrive after about 10:30 am, there is often no parking immediately adjacent to the Park. Not to worry though… we have some suggestions that can help take the frustration out of getting there: Ride a bike There is free, guarded bike parking available in two locations: • On Village Place (off of Park Blvd., south of the Zoo) behind the Natural History Museum • In front of the Museum of Man, just over the Laurel St. bridge. If you don’t want to ride the entire way to the park, drive part way, park in a convenient spot, and ride the rest of the way. Ride public transportation There is a trolley stop about a 10 minute walk from the Park. See the details in the Try Transit for Earth Day box on page 14. Free Shuttle You can take the free shuttle service. From the trolley stop on Park Blvd., cross to the east side of Park and walk up to Russ. The trolley stop is close to the corner of Russ and Park. And remember, riding MTS Buses and Trolleys make every day “EARTH DAY.” When you take transit instead of driving a car you reduce greenhouse gasses, slow global warming and improve our air quality. Saving just one gallon of gas can eliminate 19 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. If you drive and plan to arrive after 11 am, don’t drive directly to the Park. A free shuttle service will take you between the Fair and our off-site parking location at City College. From the 163 freeway exit follow the signs. From Park Blvd., you will turn on Russ. Go to the end and turn right. You can park in the lots opposite Garfield Jr. High School; the shuttle stop is marked with a sign. The shuttle runs from 10:30 am to 6 pm. |
