SANTA CRUZ > Celebrate Earth Day in style with any of these Santa Cruz events
Santa Cruz Earth Day 2012 Festival
When: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: San Lorenzo Park, 137 Dakota St., Santa Cruz
The annual Earth Day festival will host more than 90 educational and retail booths, with green living workshops featured prominently. A slew of electric vehicles will also be on display, courtesy of the Monterey Bay EV Alliance and the Electric Auto Association of the Central Coast. Live music on a solar powered stage and delicious food round out the whole package.
Save our Shores Earth Day Cleanup
When: Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m. – noon
Where: For a list of cleanup locations, go to Saveourshores.org
The Adopt-a-Levee program, a partnership between Save our Shores, the City of Santa Cruz, and six local business and civic groups is organizing a cleanup of beach and river locations in Monterey and Santa Cruz. Seven scheduled beach and river cleanups make this the largest cleanup to hit the Monterey Bay area. Cleanup materials will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.
Earth Day at Charlie Hong Kong and the UCSC Farm and Garden
When: Sunday, April 22
Where: Charlie Hong Kong, 1141 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
In celebration of Earth Day, Charlie Hong Kong will be hosting Edible Monterey Bay magazine’s second Supper Club. Tickets for the event, which includes a tour of the UC Santa Cruz Farm and Garden, can be found at ediblecommunities.com/montereybay. Five dollars from each ticket will go to the Farm and Garden. There are only 30 spots, so get your tickets soon.
Earth Day Tent Sale and Music
When: Saturday, April 21
Where: 885 41st Ave., Santa Cruz
Relove Clothing and Toda Mate are joining with Save our Shores to host a tent sale event, complete with a pop-up art exhibit and music from a local DJ. The event theme? “Save our Shores While Shopping.”
Highway Buddha at Cafe Gratitude
When: Friday, April 20, 6:30 – 9 p.m.
Where: Cafe Gratitude, 103 Lincoln Ave., Santa Cruz
Highway Buddha will be performing at Cafe Gratitude on for a “420 Pre-Earth Day Celebration.” Michael Rosati and vocalist Sandrine will be joining in the performance. “Found” instruments will be used, along with a plethora of others.
“Why We Ride” Art and Essay Contest
When: Deadline is Sunday, April 22
Local teens can express their passion for alternative transportation through Green Ways to School’s art and essay contest. Winners will receive cash ($100 for first prize in each category) and winning artwork will be printed on Green Ways to School T-shirts, magazines and posters. For more information, go to greenways2school.org.
The Big Fix Screening
When: Wednesday, April 25
Where: Live Oak Grange, 1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz
A documentary that aims to expose BP’s efforts to cover up the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, The Big Fix is director Josh Tickell’s latest environmentally-themed production. This Cannes-selected film will be screening in Santa Cruz just a few days after Earth Day.
Little Basin Camping & Recreation Festival
When: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Little Basin Cabins & Campgrounds, 21700 Little Basin Road, Boulder Creek, 338-8018
We have a successful public/private partnership to thank for this portion of Big Basin Redwoods State Park staying open in the face of state funding problems. This event, which will feature Earth Day projects, music, food, family activities, and environmental education, is the grand unveiling of the Little Basin.
Do you have an Earth Day event planned for Santa Cruz County? Leave the 411 in the comments section below.
