EarthFest 2009 – Sunday, April 19

For Immediate Release: April 2, 2009

 Celebrate Earth Day at Earthfest 2009 at Crandon Park Visitors and Nature Center, Sunday, April 19, 2009,
10 a.m. to sundown

 Event Features Live Music, Spoken-Word Performances, Hands-On Workshops, Eco-Tram Tours, Nature Walks, Community Drum Circle, Green Mobility Bike valet service and Much More

 MIAMI – In honor of Earth Day, Miami-Dade Parks & Recreation and Earth Learning present the annual Earthfest 2009, an event for the whole family on Sunday, April 19, 2009, 10 a.m. to sundown, at the Crandon Park Visitors and Nature Center, 6767 Crandon Blvd., located at the North Beach entrance of Crandon Park.  Admission is free.  Parking at Crandon Park is $5. 

The day-long event will feature “green” vendors offering earth-friendly products such as clothing made from eco-friendly materials, accessories and gifts made from recycled newspaper, eco-friendly products for children and infants, the Smart Car, an electronics recycling center, environmental educational organizations, vegetarian food vendors, and much more.  To encourage bicycling to the event, Green Mobility Network will offer a free bike-valet service, parking bikes in a secured area.

Workshops will also be going on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on topics including:

·         Greening every room in your house

·         Reducing your electric bill

·         Rain barrel construction

·         Organic gardening

·         Raw food preparation

·         Deep ecology and more

 

The Miami-Dade Parks EcoAdventures staff of naturalists will provide Eco Tram Tours of the Bear Cut preserve and guided nature walks through Coastal Hardwood Hammocks.  Other activities include a Discovery Lab, a Kidz Corner, previews of Disney Nature’s film Earth, a drum circle, and much more.

 Earthfest will also feature performances starting at 2 p.m. with the Spam Allstars, Patxi Pastor Band, Song of the Soul, and GSR.  For detailed bios of the artists and for more information on Earthfest 2009, please visit the website at www.earthfest.us or call the Crandon Park Visitors and Nature Center at 305-361-6767, ext. 112. 

 Earthfest is presented by Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation and Earth Learning.  It is funded in part by Miami-Dade County Cultural Affairs Department and Miami-Dade County Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez, District 7.  Sponsors include Nature Disney, Whole Foods Marketplace, Natural Awakenings Magazine, Imagine Miami, The City of Miami Office of Sustainable Initiatives, Green Mobility, WLRN Public Radio, The New Times, and CBS Outdoor Advertising.

 Miami-Dade Parks creates outstanding recreational, natural and cultural experiences to enrich you and to enhance our community for this and future generations.

Vendors:

Food Vendors:
Thai Donuts & More
Snow Caps Co.
Sidewalk Salads	www.sidewalksalads.com
Del’s Lemonade of Miami	www.delsmiami.com
Colombian Cravings, Inc.

Craft Vendors:
Kristin Jayd	www.kristinjayd.com
Amazonia Beads	www.amazoniabeads.com
Smart Center Coral Gables	www.smartcentercoralgables.com
Mansi Gems & Craft LLC	http://mansigemsandcraft.com/
Mindy & Lola	www.mindyandlola.blogspot.com
Mama Kanga	www.mamakanga.com
Green Veranda, Inc.	www.greenveranda.com
Mystic Cottage, Inc.
Alterna Corp.	www.alternacorp.com
Nature’s Love	www.natureslove.net
Spunky Sprout Co.	www.spunkysprout.com

Non-profit Vendors:
Florida Public Archaeology Network	http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/serc/index.html
Surfrider Foundation (South Florida Chapter)	www.surfrider.org/southflorida
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary	http://www.floridakeys.noaa.gov
The Mustard Seed Initiative, Inc.	www.msikids.org
Dream in Green	www.dreamingreen.org
South Florida National Parks	www.nps.gov/ever
DEP – Coral Reef Conservation Program	www.southeastfloridareefs.net
Citizens for a Better South Florida	www.abettersouthflorida.org
Architecture For Humanity, Miami	www.afhmiami.org
Save the Chimps	www.savethechimps.org
Environmental Awareness & Solutions Implementation, Inc.	www.geocities.com/easigreen
ECOMB – Environmental Coalition of Miami Beach	www.ECOMB.org
Tropical Audubon Society	www.tropicalaudubon.org
Wildlife Research Team, Inc.	www.Wildlife-Research-Team.org
Sierra Club – Miami Group	http://florida.sierraclub.org/miami/
US Green Building Council  South Florida Chapter	www.usgbcsf.org
Florida Native Plant Society Inc. – Dade Chapter	http://dade.fnpschapters.org
Miami Dowsers Chapter American Society of Dowser	www.miamidowserschapter.org
Acupuncture Center for Wellness	www.acupuncturemiami.com
Fertile Earth Foundation	www.fertileearth.org
UM Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science	www.rsmas.miami.edu

 

3rd Annual EarthFest – April 19, 2009

A celebration of Earth, the Greater Everglades Bioregion, and the possibility of choosing a sustainable future for all in South Florida!

Why celebrate EarthFest?
We live in a world that seems to be breaking down is so many ways…it becomes overwhelming…people feel powerless to make a positive difference. EarthFest will communicate a positive and empowering message that each and every one of us has the ability to bring about a more sustainable world through our everyday actions and personal choices.

 What makes EarthFest unique?
EarthFest proposes to inspire a community-wide discussion and a much needed cultural learning process. The event will showcase artists whose work expresses consistent messages of sustainability, interdependence, peace, unity, compassion, and action towards positive change.

 When and where will it take place?
Sunday April 19^th 2009 from 10 am to 8 pm at the North Beach Entrance of Crandon Park: 6767 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, Fl. 33149. Free admission / $5 parking fee at Crandon. Public Transportation via Metrorail Station & “B” Bus

Free Bicycle valet

• Several workshops are scheduled between 10 am and 2 pm
• Artists will perform between 2 pm and 8 pm

 Who is performing?
Musical guests includes Spam Allstars, which will move audiences with their uniquely spirit-lifting sounds and rhythms. They are joined by a terrific roster of bands yet to be announced.

 What Activities are planned?

• Interactive Exhibits, eco demonstrations and workshops
• Eco tram tours through Bear Cut preserve and nature walks through the Coastal Hardwood Hammocks
• Discovery Lab activities
• The Kidz Corner will make recycling and conserving water and the Earth fun for kids of all ages.
• Recycling of old computers, computer parts and peripherals; electronics of all kinds, even small appliances (no large appliances please!).
• Exquisite vegetarian and vegan food and green vendors

 What to bring?

• Concert blanket/chairs
• Water bottles (free refills)
• Drum/instrument for drum circle
• Electronics to recycle

 We are currently still looking for vendors to participate in this years event. If you are interested in participating please contact Aimee at 305.361.6767 ext. 112 or Ascott@miamidade.gov to receive information on how to become a vendor.