EVENT | ALBUQUERQUE
Learn about how you can help save the planet at the 3rd annual Earth Day Festival
Published
The third annual Earth Day Festival is returning to Balloon Fiesta Park on Sunday, April 26, highlighting the theme 鈥淥ur Power, Our Planet.鈥�
Joanie Griffin, one of the organizers, said the festival has grown as more exhibitors have shown an interest.
鈥淲e have a whole group of energy experts there that will meet with people and help them,鈥� Griffin said.
Exhibitors include PNM, solar companies and even an electric vehicle car show. Griffin said the goal of the event is education.
Recently, the presidential administration has made cuts to tax credits, and Griffin said the event aims to help people understand what they can still do, including installing solar panels or driving an EV.
鈥淔rom the beginning, we wanted to make it very family-friendly and have things for young people,鈥� Griffin said. 鈥淏ecause it鈥檚 really this next generation that鈥檚 going to get the brunt of the impact (of) what we do or don鈥檛 do to protect the Earth.鈥�
The festival has several areas dedicated to educating and engaging children. This includes an art competition where kids can submit a dance, poem or art piece that fits the theme, 鈥淧rotect the Earth, Protect Ourselves.鈥�
鈥淭he kids are very thoughtful about it,鈥� Griffin said.
Last year, the event began a youth entrepreneurs section, which gave young people a free booth space to sell recycled items, Griffin said.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e finding like used material that maybe their mom was throwing out, and then they turned it into something else,鈥� she said.
Griffin said last year she saw handmade notebooks, refrigerator magnets, napkins and jewelry.
The festival will also feature food trucks, music and even animals. There will be a dog adoption area, and the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary and a bird sanctuary with birds of prey on hand.
鈥淭he wolves and the birds of prey are talking about the damage to the earth and how it鈥檚 impacting wildlife,鈥� Griffin said.
Griffin said discussions like this, especially after a low-rain year, can help educate people about wildlife habitats and the impact wildfires can have on these areas.
A key point of the festival, she said, is that no plastics are allowed.
There will be refill stations to encourage attendees to bring reusable water bottles, and exhibitors cannot bring plastic promotional products. As alternatives, Griffin said she has seen exhibitors bring reusable bags and products made from bamboo or wood.
All aspects are geared toward meeting the goal of educating and offering alternative solutions for the planet.
鈥淲e have the power to make a difference for our planet,鈥� Griffin said.
Elizabeth Secor is an arts fellow from the New Mexico Local News Fellowship program. You can reach her at esecor@abqjournal.com.
