April 27 marks the 25th year of San Diego's EarthFair in Balboa Park. It's the world's largest free Earth Day celebration. (Design: Jennifer Hewitson)
Our aim is to take this one day to introduce citizens to the products and lifestyle choices that can improve their quality of life each and every day.
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) March 31, 2014
San Diego EarthWorks -- the producers of EarthFair in Balboa Park, the world’s largest annual environmental fair and Earth Day celebration – is seeking businesses, non-profits, government agencies and advocacy groups eager to be among 50 New Shades of Green that highlight products, services and initiatives creating a more sustainable quality of life during the free, April 27 EarthFair celebration.
Those representing the 50 New Shades of Green will augment hundreds of additional exhibitors introducing their sustainable, planet-friendly, money-saving solutions to Southern Californians – an Earth Day canvas featuring hundreds of shades of green to inspire San Diegans in a single day.
“EarthFair is the world’s largest free celebration of the practices, products and services that honor Mother Earth, enable sustainable living and improve the bottom line,” said EarthFair co-founder Carolyn Chase. “Our aim is to take this one day to introduce citizens to the products and lifestyle choices that can improve their quality of life each and every day – and for generations to follow,” Chase explained.
Now in its 25th year, EarthFair draws 50,000 to 60,000 individuals of all ages to historic Balboa Park to learn how they can go green – and save green -- by living more sustainably. EarthFair 2014 takes place Sunday, April 27, from 10 am to 5 pm.
***10 EXHIBIT AREAS AND 4 STAGES OFFER A DAY TEEMING WITH FUN, FOOD, EARTH-FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT & INSIGHTS***
The secret sauce to EarthFair’s perennial success is a heaping helping of family-oriented activities, folk and contemporary music, information on organizations that preserve precious natural resources, ecosystems and the wildlife they sustain and EarthFair’s hundreds of shades of green – a robust complement of eco-smart vendors offering healthy, environmentally-friendly products and services to protect the environment, create a cleaner, more sustainable community, and save money. An international array of tasty food, beverages and organic treats will be served throughout the day.
***EARTHFAIR HIGHLIGHTS***
New at EarthFair this year is ecoATM, a vending machine that allows folks to get the maximum amount of money for properly recycling their used cell phones, MP3 players, tablet PCs and other devices while knowing they’re being recycled in the appropriate way.
Butterfly gardening for children is another anticipated draw, as will be exhibitors showcasing drought-tolerant and native plant species. Money-saving water conservation and renewable energy solutions will also have their proverbial day in the sun.
Accelerating in popularity among fairgoers is an innovative line-up of electric and hybrid vehicles, this year featured at the Cleaner Car Concourse and the Plaza de Panama, where the San Diego County Toyota Dealers will display the latest in high-mileage and plug-in vehicles.
Another perennial crowd-pleaser is the annual Children’s Earth Parade, featuring children (many dressed up as their favorite endangered species), animals, marching units and floats. All species welcome! The parade kicks off at 10:30 am with a total marching time of 20 minutes. The parade is free for all who want to participate, but registration is requested. Register online at http://www.earthparade.org.
An event of this undertaking could not happen without its underwriters – and hundreds of volunteers. Taking center stage to showcase their unique shades of green are EarthFair sponsors USAA, San Diego County Toyota Dealers, EcoATM, Car2Go, Walmart, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), the San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union (METRO), the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), Qualcomm, EDCO, Solar Turbines, Armstrong Garden Centers, Zero Waste San Diego, the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture, the Urban Corps of San Diego, SolarRain Watery and Big Mama Earth Learning Academy.
Media sponsors helping promote EarthFair and its many shades of green include 10News, Azteca America, San Diego 6 The CW, Energy 103.7, KyXy 96.5, Diego 99.3,The Walrus 105.7, San Diego's Finest Business Radio (with Radio Jack), WS Online Radio and The ECOReport.
Additional sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities abound.
“This event presents a tremendous opportunity to reach a community of citizens who not only subscribe to cleaner, healthier lifestyles, but who are eager to support businesses whose products, services and corporate philosophies align with theirs to live and work more sustainably,” said Chase.
***GETTING TO EARTHFAIR:
KIDS 12 & UNDER RIDE MTS BUSES AND TROLLEYS FOR FREE***
EarthFair organizers have identified a veritable busload of clean transportation alternatives to get folks safely and efficiently to EarthFair.
“Sixty-thousand people trying to maneuver their cars into Balboa Park during the course of a day can create real transportation problems and leave one huge carbon footprint,” said MTS spokesman Rob Schupp. To help, MTS is emphasizing its ‘Two Kids Ride Free on Weekends' policy. “With each paid adult fare on an MTS trolley or bus to EarthFair, two kids 12 and under ride free. It’s a great way to honor the intent of EarthFair, while introducing San Diegans to our family-friendly vehicles,” Schupp added.
Click here for bus and trolley schedules and other transportation alternatives, including off-site parking and free shuttle service. Consider bicycling and walking as a refreshing alternative. Free valet bike parking is provided at two locations, courtesy of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition: the Museum of Man on the park's west side and Village Place on the east side of Balboa Park.
***VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES***
Another essential component to EarthFair is the more than 400 volunteers who help visitors find what they seek while making the event an enjoyable experience for all. EarthFair is accepting volunteers eager to assist with the hundreds of details that go into producing an event of this magnitude. All volunteers are given EarthFair t-shirts that make them easily identifiable. This year’s shirts carry the theme, “It’s a Small Earth After All,” while acknowledging the many sponsors who’ve come together to make EarthFair possible. To volunteer for EarthFair 2014, register online by clicking here.
***E.A.R.T.H. AWARDS NOMINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED***
Corporations and the public-at-large have the opportunity to acknowledge the work of EarthFair volunteers at the June 11 V.I.P. (Very Important Planet) Reception and E.A.R.T.H. Awards, which recognize organizations and individuals for their actions to foster a cleaner, healthier environment. Nominations for E.A.R.T.H. Awards (including self nominations) will be accepted through April 27. They can be made online via this EarthFair Web link.
“This year’s theme reminds us that we’re all in this together,” noted EarthFair co-founder Chris Klein. “EarthFair provides not only the opportunity to celebrate the beauty of this planet, it inspires us with hundreds of shades of green we can employ to help protect the environment and make this world a better place.”
ABOUT SAN DIEGO EARTHWORKS: San Diego EarthWorks is a California 501(c)3 non-profit corporation committed to inspiring action toward a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. San Diego EarthWorks produces EarthFair in Balboa Park, the world’s largest annual environmental fair and Earth Day celebration, now in its 25th year. In addition to facilitating business, volunteer and educational partnerships to create a better planet, EarthWorks presents San Diego’s Annual V.I.P. (Very Important Planet) Reception and E.A.R.T.H. Awards, which recognize organizations and individuals for their actions to foster a cleaner, healthier environment. Learn more at http://www.earthdayweb.org.
