Join the Earth Day parade and festivities at Alpenglow Park
Matthew Draxton
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Environmental Center will host its family-friendly Earth Day Fair and Celebration on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Alpenglow Park in Bend, Ore. The outdoor event will feature music and dance, local food vendors, businesses, nonprofits and an activity zone for all ages.
The event is presented by Pacific Power and aims to celebrate the community. Attendees can gather at 11 a.m. at the Alpenglow stage for opening remarks from The Environmental Center staff before the parade.
Volunteers are needed for the event, with positions including educating patrons at waste-sorting stations. Priscilla Calleros, Events and Outreach Manager at The Environmental Center, stated that volunteering is a fun way to meet new people and get involved with the organization.
Calleros also highlighted the success of the “Rethink Waste” program. “Our Rethink Waste program has worked with event hosts over the years and one of the most successful tactics a host can employ to make sure waste ends up in the correct place is to have staff or volunteers physically helping out at the sorting stations,” Calleros said. She added that reusable dishware will be offered again, which has successfully diverted single-use food containers and utensils from the landfill over several years.
The Earth Day parade will return this year, featuring Lava City Cirque, Bend’s aerial and circus arts studio. The group will kick off the procession with stilt walkers, unicyclists and flow artists appearing as butterflies and nature sprites. Participants are invited to dress up as their favorite parts of the Earth, bringing imagination, costumes and love for nature.
Midday performances will include Red Clan, from the Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs, who have been singing and sharing music and dancing for more than 30 years. Hokule’a of Central Oregon will also perform, bringing Hula from Hawaii and rhythmic beats from Tahiti through dance and live drumming to share their history and culture.
Additional highlights of the event include local food carts, free face painting, green organizations and businesses and kids’ activities. Individuals interested in volunteering can sign up for a shift by visiting the Earth Day volunteer sign-ups website or by calling Calleros at 541-508-5410.