Bright sunshine welcomed the hundreds of people who gathered in Downtown Eugene on Saturday to celebrate the 2003 Earth Day.
Beginning with an American Indian blessing, the celebration boasted six hours of music, activities, demonstrations and exhibits.
Although most gathered for the same purpose, different individuals expressed different feelings about celebrating the holiday. For some, the day offered a chance to learn, while others hoped to party in the name of Mother Earth.
It was Emerald People’s Utility District’s first year participating in the celebration, and for Communications Coordinator Judith Manning, celebrating meant expanding awareness.
“This year, we wanted to take it to the larger community — to bring a rural population to the Downtown event,” she said.
Earth Day blossomed in 1970 as a nationwide, grassroots demonstration for the environment. According to the Wilderness Society Web site at www.wilderness.org, organization
of the event began in 1969, when former Senator Gaylord Nelson, D-Wis., envisioned a possible collaboration between student antiwar energy and the environmental concerns of the general public.
Director of Downtown Events Management, Inc. Steven Remington said that although Earth Day began as a political statement, education is now its most important aspect.
“The more that you know about the ways that we impact the environment, the less ignorant we become, and the more good we can do,” he said.
Manning had similar sentiments.
“It raises people’s awareness about some of the issues that are facing Earth,” she said. “It gets them more used to the ideas of recycling and protecting, and does it in a way that’s fun for families.”
While raising awareness was a common goal at the celebration, many also felt that it was important for creating unity. Education Coordinator at BRING Recycling Sarah Grimm said that aside from collecting plenty of athletic shoes for recycling, building community was the most important aspect to her.
“It creates community, and invites people to learn about how to protect the Earth in a positive manner, rather than a negative manner,” she said. “Instead of protesting, we’re celebrating.”
Allison Albrecht agreed that while protecting the Earth was the broad goal, coming together as a group was what made the day effective.
“It’s nice to have everybody get together for one specific cause,” she said.
The celebration hosted street theater from Teen Super Heroes and music by Jenaguru, Paul Safar & Friends, Flying Crooked, the Eugene Peace Choir and I’Chele and the Circle of Light. Almost 50 groups formed an “Earth Action Arena” of booths and activities, which included a display of hybrid and earth-friendly vehicles.
The celebration also featured the annual “Procession of All Species,” a parade led by the percussion ensemble Samba Ja. Participants dressed as animals, plants and elements and marched through Downtown.
“Every common activity we can do together is one more step in the right direction,” Rich Glauver, a turtle in the parade, said. “It means that we’re sharing it with animal and plant kingdoms.”
Amy Nielson, of Downtown Events Management, Inc., said she felt even a little awareness can go a long way.
“Hopefully, someone will come down for their first time and get involved,” she said. “Maybe then they’ll continue that for next year.”
Kara Hansen is a freelance writer
for the Emerald.