I am so excited - I can hardly stand it! Earth Day is around the corner. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day celebration. On Sunday, my family and I are heading down to Balboa Park here in San Diego for Earth Fair 2010! This years marks the 20th anniversary of our city's fantastic celebration. Each year, it draws over 70,000 people - is produced by 400 volunteers - features 350 exhibitors - has special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a wonderful Kids’ Activity Area, three entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the eARTh Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse. I mark this event on my calendar just as any other holiday. For me, it goes right up there with the big ones - Christmas, New Year's, Valentine's Day, Easter, Earth Day...
I urge you to check out your hometown and see what activities and celebrations are going on this weekend. It is such an important event to involve your kids in. Also, here are some ideas on things you can do at home to celebrate this remarkable occasion.
Have a SLOW FOOD meal. Eat a meal that is cooked from start to finish by you and your family. All ingredients should be local and organic (within 60 miles of your home.) Farmer's markets are great places to shop - as is your own backyard (if you have a garden). Check out these websites for more info:
Pick up trash your neighborhood. We have done this for the past few years - and our son really gets into it. Finding trash almost becomes as much fun as an Easter egg hunt, oddly enough! Take precautions - wear gloves. And keep an eye on your children - you can pick up the broken bottles and dangerous stuff - leave the paper to them.
Even though the official Earth Hour has passed - turn off all of your lights and appliances from sundown to dawn one night. Eat by candlelight. Play cards. Sing songs. It is great for Mama Earth and a nice bonding time for your family.
Plant a tree in your backyard. Last year, we planted a plum tree to commemorate Earth Day.
And now we have baby plums all over it!
To learn more about Earth Day, please visit:
They have a great site. Check out their mission statement:
"Earth Day Network was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. Our mission is to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. We pursue our mission through a combination of education, public policy, and activism campaigns. Earth Day Network has a global reach with more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. More than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world."
For San Diego's Earth Fair, go to:
HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!
Thank you for all these great ideas! We'll definately have to try some of them here this week!
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