After months of uncertainty, EarthWorks set to march back into Balboa Park
Kai Oliver-Kurtin | Downtown News
The 24th annual EarthFair celebration will bring over 60,000 people to Balboa Park on April 21, the day preceding internationally recognized Earth Day. Called the “largest, free annual environmental fair in the world” on the EarthWorks website, EarthFair 2013 will focus on this year’s theme, “Add Your Voice,” to encourage action among its attendees.
Featuring over 300 exhibitors, EarthFair brings together environmentally friendly organizations and vendors, food, an art show, a children’s parade, alternative-fueled cars, entertainment, music, and more. Five stages will feature a range of entertainment, such as songs and storytelling for children, folk music, and a variety of contemporary music from local artists.
A children’s parade will take place starting at 10:30 a.m., starting at Spanish Village and ending at the Children’s area. Participation is encouraged.
With 30 percent new vendors added to the lineup annually, new products also surface each year. One new vendor will be offering this year’s attendees a roll of earth-friendly toilet paper to take home.
“Lots of small businesses get their start at EarthFair,” said Carolyn Chase, CEO of San Diego EarthWorks. “[This includes] clothing designers, food vendors and eco-friendly cleaners.”
With innovation central to the fair, Chase said many businesses have recently been utilizing “upcylcing” – the process of taking waste or a useless product and changing it to create something of value. The eHome exhibit will also offer demonstrations of various sustainable and energy saving products and technologies of interest to home owners.
“It’s not about one day;” said Chase, “it’s about what you do the rest of the year. We need to lighten our load on nature.”
Earlier this year, event organizers were threatened with the possibility of losing their celebratory day altogether, due to a proposed construction project at their longtime venue within the country’s largest cultural park. The project would have diverted parking from within the heart of Balboa Park to a new underground parking structure, but was halted by the local nonprofit Save Our Heritage Organisation in a court ruling.
Event organizers argued EarthFair could be held without any impediment to the proposed construction—work that wouldn’t have taken place on a Sunday, regardless. Though the court ruling put a stop to the project, it’s unclear how future EarthFair events may be affected.
Financial support for EarthFair is provided in part by the City of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and the event is run completely by volunteers – about 400 total. Volunteer opportunities are still available in various capacities.
“EarthFair is a one-stop shop if you want to volunteer or learn to do something to your home or office,” Chase said. “Planet Earth affects everyone and we can all do or change something.”
Chase urges people not to drive to EarthFair if they’re arriving after 10 a.m. due to limited parking within Balboa Park. Instead, a free shuttle service from San Diego City College and the County Administration Center is available, in addition to free bike valet parking in two central park locations.
EarthFair will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to navigate through the various exhibitors online beforehand, for the most beneficial experience. For more information about the fair, costumes for the children’s parade, a list of exhibitors, and parking alternatives, visit earthdayweb.org/EarthFair.
Kai Oliver-Kurtin is a local freelance reporter who also works full-time doing social media marketing for the U.S. Navy. She enjoys covering events, restaurant news, culture and entertainment. Contact her at [email protected]
