Earth Day festivals abound this month, and another fabulous one coming up this weekend is in Santa Barbara, California. Hosted by the Community Environmental Council since 1970, this festival is packed with educational and entertaining activities.
The festival started on a very serious note though. In 1969, the devastating images of a massive oil spill from an oil platform off Santa Barbara’s coast galvanized California into action and caught the attention of the rest of the nation, including Senator Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day.
Today, the Community Environmental Council is leading a campaign to move Santa Barbara County away from fossil fuels in one generation – Fossil Free by ’33. Electricity for the Earth Day Festival is generated from the sun and from biodiesel. The festival strives to keep its waste to a minimum. To make sure this is a truly carbon-free event, they offset the remaining emissions. How cool is that?
What are some of the highlights of the weekend? Besides a green car and house show and a film festival, the event offers hundreds of exhibitors demonstrating green products and services. Actor Daryl Hannah will receive the Environmental Hero Award on Sunday.
The Little Pickle Press team will be at the event, too, and you won’t want to miss our very own Land Wilson as he presents a reading of his book, Sofia’s Dream. He’ll also present an adaptation of his school program, Earth Talks With KidsTM, with exciting props and hands-on participation. Find him at the Children’s Enchanted Forest on Saturday and Sunday at 2:30 or 3:00 PM (depending on which schedule you look at;), and do stay around to chat after. Maybe your school would like Mr. Land to visit.
If you are in the Santa Barbara area this weekend, by all means stop into the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival. don't miss the opportunity to meet award-winning children's book author, Land Wilson, and to hear him read Sofia's Dream on Sunday afternoon. Thanks for coordinating, Kara!
ReplyDeleteIf I had to pick one festival to attend, this might be the one. It sounds fantastic! Green with envy here. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support Little Pickle Press! We'll see you out there. It's going to be a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteDani - Thank you for this great introduction! I've been speaking with a handful of people from Santa Barbara lately and everyone is exceptionally nice. I am really looking forward to visiting this wonderful community. ~Land
ReplyDeleteThis looks to be a great event with interesting activities and plenty of educational information, held in a spectacular place... Santa Barbara, California!! Thank you Kara Peterson for making this happen for Little Pickle Press and Land Wilson! I can't wait to hear about the weekend. Good luck!
ReplyDelete