Earth Day Indiana: 20 years and going strong

By Nancee Reeves For Custom Publications

Earth Day Indiana celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and it’s a year that promises to bring positive changes to this popular, earth-affirming festival. The biggest and most exciting change is the move to White River State Park.

“This is the first of a four-year agreement to hold the festival at White River State Park,” said Stephen Sellers, executive director for Earth Day Indiana. “I'm sure we'll be at this premier site for many more years.”

Nestled between the Indianapolis Zoo, the Indiana State Museum and other local destinations, this attractive and green venue is sure to be popular with Earth Day visitors. The spacious park also allows room for more visitors, booths and events.

“The festival features 130 environmental and conservation exhibits, good food, special activities for kids and original music written and performed by talented local artists,” Sellers said. “We have room to grow at our new venue.”

Kids

Conservation and the environment are important, but that’s no reason why it still can’t be child’s play.

“My generation may have started Earth Day 40 years ago, but it is the children who will inherit a planet either in extreme peril or on the mend,” Sellers said. “That's why so much of the festival focuses on families. Kids love the plants and animals on display, and they pack into the children's tent for the crafts, entertainment and other activities.”

Touchstone Energy’s Freshwater Fred will be in the children’s tent with coloring books, temporary tattoos and craft projects, and Melton the polar bear will appear at the Sierra Club’s booth. Indiana Family of Farmers will have “cow pots” for kids to plant sweet corn in. Over time, the planters will biodegrade, becoming fertilizer for the quick-growing corn.

The Indiana Wildlife Federation’s popular build-your-own bird feeder event will be reprised, with opportunities for budding naturalists.

“Last year, we brought material for 50 kids and ran out in the first two hours,” said John Goss, director of the Indiana Wildlife Federation. “This year we are bringing twice the building material so we can reach twice the amount of children.”

United Water will demonstrate pollution prevention through its fun, hands-on EnvrioScape model, and Subaru is donating its booth space this year to the Boy Scouts of America, who will give away 1,000 native tree saplings.

Giveaways

Earth Day goers can take advantage of several giveaways aimed at helping make homes and lifestyles greener.

United Water will give away bamboo plants, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will have various seedlings, and Veolia Water will hand out native plants.

“We will have four different plants, all of which use very little water, like lots of sun and attract birds and butterflies,” said Paul Whitmore, communication manager for Veolia Water.

Friends of the White River will sign people up for its annual White River Cleanup the weekend after Earth Day, and will have a raffle for Jack Johnson concert tickets.

Walmart, a primary sponsor for Earth Day Indiana, will give away recycled shopping bags. Each bag is made of plastic generated from the equivalent of about four soda or water bottles, and eliminates the need for at least 50 disposable bags during its five-year lifetime.

Last year’s Earth Day celebration was brightly dotted with the 7,000 blue bags Walmart gave away.

Saving money

Indianapolis Power and Light will show people how they can save money and the environment by making small changes in their daily lives.

“It’s amazing how much energy is used by common household items such as gaming systems, TVs, DVD players and second refrigerators,” said Glenn Livers, IPL’s marketing program manager. “We’ll have handouts and giveaways that show folks how they can save up to $1,000 a year in energy costs.”

The Greater Indiana Clean City Alliance will have a number of alternative-fuel vehicles on display, including street-legal electric cars, cars that run on natural gas and various cars with high mileage and low cost.

“We want to give people an idea of what’s out there,” said Kellie Walsh, executive director, Greater Indiana Clean City Alliance. “We want to stop our dependence on foreign oil, help the environment and save people money.”

Before leaving, festival-goers should stop by the Earth Day Indiana tent to become an official member and to purchase an organic cotton Earth Day Indiana T-shirt and other items.

“The festival is a wonderful opportunity to meet new people, exchange ideas and learn ways we all can live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle,” Sellers said.

Exhibitor list Site plan and more exhibitors