The 32nd annual Earth Day Celebration will litter the streets of downtown Eugene from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The celebration will host a variety of events, from Frank Merrill’s American Indian opening blessing to musical entertainment to Earth Action Arenas consisting of environmental displays and interactive workshops hosted by participating organizations.
Steven Remington, president and managing director of Downtown Events Management Inc ., said there is a growing movement among community members to come downtown and celebrate Earth. This year’s celebration marks the largest community involvement to date, with more than 40 organizations participating.
“The celebration is becoming as much about the community as it is about the earth,” Remington said.
The festivities will take place from Broadway to Willamette Street and will provide a variety of activities from education to entertainment. Eugene residents will create puppets and masks of their favorite animals to wear in the “Procession of All Species,” an artistic celebration to honor the myriad forms of life. The Bloco Amazinha, a Brazilian percussion group, will lead the parade through downtown.
BRING Recycling education coordinator Sarah Grimm said growing momentum to celebrate Earth is due to “more visible needs of our earth, such as global warming and necessary energy conservation.” BRING Recycling will participate in Earth Action Arenas by displaying recycled greeting cards that can be planted and transformed into a garden.
“The basic message this year is to get out there and learn,” Grimm said.
The Eugene Water and Electric Board, a sponsor of the celebration, also plans to participate in the Earth Action Arenas. Spokesman John Mitchell said EWEB will have an informational booth that will focus on renewable energy sources and conservation, and it will feature an interactive display on solar heating and wind power.
The Lane Regional Air Pollution Authority will also have a booth to educate the community and bring a more holistic awareness to preventing pollution. The Toyota Prius, an environmentally conscious car that combines a gas engine and electric motor, will be on display to “represent positive alternatives and promote clean air,” LRAPA public affairs manager Kim Metzler said.
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide spokeswoman Maggie Keenan said participating in the Earth Day celebration will help educate Eugene citizens about global environmental awareness. E-LAW will have informational pamphlets available at its booth.
“All of our work is done outside the United States,” she said. “This will be a good way to let people of Eugene find out about what this organization is doing around the world.”