7 ways to celebrate Earth Day this year in Sacramento
Whether you know it as the City of Trees or the Farm-to-Fork Capital of America, Sacramento has always been hip to Mother Nature. Here are six fun ways to celebrate Earth Day this weekend, from a human-powered spin class to guided nature walks.
Celebrate the Earth Festival
April 22 Kids can learn how to save the Earth during this event at the Roseville Utility Exploration Center featuring chemistry experiments, an animal show with alligators, snakes and hawks, and a scavenger hunt that asks participants to answer conservation trivia throughout the museum for chances to win eco-friendly prizes, like a sink modifier that reduces runoff. Gather in Mahany Park for classic rock from the Ant Bee Band and fare from food trucks like Kazoku Teriyaki and Dave’s Dawgs. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Roseville Utility Exploration Center. 1501 Pleasant Grove Blvd. Roseville. 746-1550. roseville.ca.us
Earth Day at Sacramento Eco Fitness
April 22 Put the pedal to the metal this Earth Day at Sacramento Eco Fitness, which is billed as the state’s first human-powered fitness facility. The gym will host a special open house from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. with demonstrations of 14 spin bikes that convert human energy into utility-grade electricity. At 1 p.m., and every hour afterward, join a 30-minute spin class that will supply the energy needed for sound equipment to blast heart-pumping music into the room while you work up a sweat. Free. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Sacramento Eco Fitness. 1914 L St. 329-8651. sacramentoecofitness.com
Earth Day Celebration
April 22 During this event at the Sacramento Children’s Museum, kids can learn how to make papier mâché flower seed bombs, dance along to the electric ukulele and drums of Auburn-based two-man band Musical Robot, and embark upon Mission: Imagination, a program during which they’ll learn how to reduce, reuse and recycle by solving puzzles and retrieving clues hidden in rooms of the museum. Free. 10 a.m-2 p.m. Sacramento Children’s Museum. 2701 Prospect Park Dr. 638-7225. sackids.org
Earth Day at Koobs Nature Area
April 22 The Koobs Nature Area in Carmichael, which is only open the second Saturday of each month, is unlocking its gates especially for Earth Day this year, offering family picnic areas and nature explorations hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Carmichael. Kids can check out the habitats of local critters, search for insects in a butterfly field and learn about regional plant life like the native milkweed flower. Local Boy and Girl Scout troupes will also lead guided hikes through the area, take guests bird-watching and provide art supplies for landscape and wildlife drawing. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Koobs Nature Area. 5325 Engle Rd. 484-1314. facebook.com/events
Earth Fest
April 22 The Sacramento Zoo hosts its party for the planet on Earth Day, during which guests can watch wildlife shows at the amphitheater, roam about the zoo and listen to keeper chats at exhibits like the African lions, eastern bongos and lemurs. Little ones can get their faces painted like tigers and birds, learn a new environmentally friendly task at activity stations or bring their old toys to a special stuffed-animal veterinarian who will access Flopsy's health and provide tips for healing. A portion of the day’s proceeds benefit the zoo’s conservation projects like helping to lessen the conflict with tigers on the island of Sumatra. $14.95 ($9.95 for kids ages 2-11). 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sacramento Zoo. 3930 West Land Park Drive. 808-5888. saczoo.org
Howlin’ on the Parkway
April 22 Grab your canine bestie and dress him up for a walk along the American River Parkway, a two-mile stroll that concludes with an Earth Day celebration that includes a costume contest and free pet adoptions. During past events, pooches have donned everything from superhero smocks to tutus. Cali Love Food Truck will be on hand to dish out sandwiches to two-legged companions, and all event proceeds go toward maintenance of the American River Parkway Foundation’s trails. $25. 8 a.m.-12 p.m. William B. Pond Recreation Area. 5700 Arden Way. 875-6961. arpf.org
Sacramento Earth Day
April 23 Celebrate Mother Earth's special day at this eco-friendly festival in Southside Park, which will feature environmental education stations, short skits demonstrating Earth-saving lifestyle tips and vegan cuisine. Five acts will take to the main stage, including locally based West African music and dance group Fenix Drum and Dance Company, followed by Sacramento swing band Cat’s Meow and local singer-songwriter James Israel. Little ones can put their busy hands to work at a craft-making area or burn some clean energy by running around at a pop-up playground. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Southside Park. 2115 6th St. 444.0022. ecosacramento.net
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