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<\/a><\/p>\nFeaturing over 300 exhibitors, EarthFair brings together environmentally friendly organizations and vendors, food, an art show, a children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
A children\u2019s parade will take place starting at 10:30 a.m., starting at Spanish Village and ending at the Children\u2019s area. Participation is encouraged.<\/p>\n
With 30 percent new vendors added to the lineup annually, new products also surface each year. One new vendor will be offering this year\u2019s attendees a roll of earth-friendly toilet paper to take home.<\/p>\n
\u201cLots of small businesses get their start at EarthFair,\u201d said Carolyn Chase, CEO of San Diego EarthWorks. \u201c[This includes] clothing designers, food vendors and eco-friendly cleaners.\u201d<\/p>\n
With innovation central to the fair, Chase said many businesses have recently been utilizing \u201cupcylcing\u201d \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not about one day;\u201d said Chase, \u201cit\u2019s about what you do the rest of the year. We need to lighten our load on nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Event organizers argued EarthFair could be held without any impediment to the proposed construction\u2014work that wouldn\u2019t have taken place on a Sunday, regardless. Though the court ruling put a stop to the project, it\u2019s unclear how future EarthFair events may be affected.<\/p>\n
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 \u2013 about 400 total. Volunteer opportunities are still available in various capacities.<\/p>\n
\u201cEarthFair is a one-stop shop if you want to volunteer or learn to do something to your home or office,\u201d Chase said. \u201cPlanet Earth affects everyone and we can all do or change something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chase urges people not to drive to EarthFair if they\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s parade, a list of exhibitors, and parking alternatives, visit earthdayweb.org\/EarthFair<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n