This year marks the 25th anniversary of Earth Day Mobile Bay, the largest and oldest Earth Day celebration in the state of Alabama. The event is held at the Fairhope Pier Park on Saturday, April 19, beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing through 7 p.m. Admission is free.
“To open this year’s Earth Day, we will have a Children’s Parade that will start at the USA campus parking lot on South Summit Street at approximately 9:30 and proceed to the Rose Garden at the Pier where Mayor Kant will welcome everyone and present the award for Fairhope Middle School’s anti-litter campaign poster,” said Gary Gover, event chairman. “Our theme this year is ‘Every Day is Earth Day’ and focuses on educating the public about ways to reduce man’s impact on the environment by protecting and preserving resources, all in a family fun atmosphere. We love having the children take part and there will be lots of hands-on fun and activities for children.”
A focus of the day will be on how our area is still recovering from the BP Oil spill, Gover said, with environmental exhibitors, food vendors, and entertainers. “Exhibits from community groups, environmental organizations, government agencies, museums, schools, and local businesses will showcase new technology and ideas to improve the quality of our air, water, and land. Whether people are interested in solar panels, LEDs, ground-source heat pumps, wind turbines, need some advice about how to improve a home or business with eco-friendly solutions, want to know more about growing organic produce or buying local meats and produce, or just fancy spending a pleasant Earth Day celebration on Mobile Bay, this event is sure to please.”
The day includes a full schedule of musical and other entertainment, an environmental film festival from Mobile Bay Sierra Club, demonstrations from Southwest Panhandle Search and Rescue K-9 team, a life-size wind turbine, and more, including opportunities for recycling. “Processing electronics, hazardous materials, expired prescription medicines, aluminum, glass, plastic, paint, cooking oil, motor oil, tires and other materials will be treated,” Gover said. “Bring surplus electronics, TVs, computers, cell phones, and printer ink cartridges for recycling. The City of Fairhope and Fairhope High School will provide free disposal or re-use, and Daphne Utilities will provide containers to collect used cooking oil.”
Attendees are encouraged to take the “Green Route” options to Earth Day by walking, bicycling, ride-sharing, sailing, kayaking, or riding the free Baldwin County BRATS shuttle bus between parking lots on Greeno Road at Fairhope Avenue and the Fairhope Pier. Shuttles will run continuously during the event.
For more information on Earth Day, visit the organization’s website at www.earthdaymobilebay.org, and for information on Earth Day and other environmental issues of concern, search for “Earth Day Mobile Bay” at www.facebook.com/.
