This Sunday, April 22 is Earth Day—a day for appreciating and celebrating the planet we live on and meant to encourage people to give back to it—and Sacramento outdoor activities abound. Events surrounding Earth Day run the gambit from coordinated volunteer efforts to kid-centric activities to full-on festivals. Take a look at our list below for some options, and don’t forget to check our Holiday Events section for more.
Festivals for Earth
Earth Day Celebration: Cesar Chavez Park & City Hall; Thurs 9am-2pm
Come out and join for a free day of fun and interactive green education, carnival games, and great entertainment. The day includes live entertainment from Radio Disney and Magician Bill Devon with Top Class Magic, face painting, balloon artists, and more than 50 local vendors providing 
information and demonstrations.
Sacramento Earth Day Celebration:
Southside Park; Sun 11am-5pm
The 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration will be filled with diverse business, non-profit, cultural, and government vendors with practical information, goods, and services for saving money, living healthier, and protecting the environment. There'll also be great entertainment, activities, and cuisine!
Give a little back
Ride for Earth 2012: Practical Cycle; Sat 8:30am-Noon
For the 3rd annual Ride for Earth join Practical Cycle for the Great American River Clean Up. Participation in the Clean Up is a real contribution to the health of the Parkway and river. The ride will be leaving Practical Cycle at 8:30am, giving plenty of time to bike along the Parkway to the assigned spot at Northrop and Highway 160 by 9am.
Creek Clean Up: Miwok Park (and other sites in Elk Grove); Sat 9am-1pm
Help the Cosumnes Community Services District clean and beautify the natural landscape of Elk Grove and Laguna Creeks, protect environmental resources, and have fun! Participants will be treated to a BBQ lunch.
Adopt a Pet for Earth Day: Extra Space Storage; Sat 10am-2pm
Come in and adopt a pet for Earth Day! It's good for the planet, it's good for the pet. Join Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary, the Sacramento SPCA, and Extra Space Storage for complimentary food, prizes, and fun for the whole family.
Global Youth Service Day: Midtown Clean Up: J St btwn 20th & 21st Streets; Sun 9am-Noon
Join hundreds of youth in making Midtown clean and litter free! Volunteers will remove trash and do some basic beautification projects such as removing stickers from signs/poles/newspaper stands etc. Grab your walking shoes and enjoy the sunshine (we hope) while making Midtown even more beautiful. Refreshments and lunch will be provided so stick around after to socialize with your fellow volunteers.
Nature appreciation
Guided Nature Walk: Earth Day Every Day: Effie Yeaw Nature Center; Sat 10:30am
Mother nature's gifts are all around us. Learn how we can all make a difference.
Feast for Earth
1000 Vegan Cupcakes for Charity: Embassy Suites – Riverfront Promenade;
Sun 4pm-7pm
This vegan cupcake competition is taking on global warming and raising funds for three local charities with 10 local bakers making 100 cupcakes each to themes like: Fresh n’ Local, Cupcakes Around the World, and Save the Rainforest. There will be eco-vegan raffles prizes from local businesses, the opportunity to learn about sustainable living from Policy in Motion, and a display of 1000 cupcakes from Sacramento bakeries you won’t forget!
Recycle, Reduce, & Reuse
Love Your Mother Earth Art Exhibit: Little Relics Boutique & Galleria; Mon-Sat 11am-7pm
Honor the earth and the onset of spring by viewing theLove Your Mother Earth exhibit dedicated to art that showcases creations comprised of recycled and repurposed products into textiles by featured artist Lisa Young and jewelry by owner, Susan Rabinovitz. To round out the show, Rabinovitz added much loved and admired floral and fawna paintings by Award Winning Artist Karen Dukes, Laura Pallatin, and Florence Skiadas.
Recycle + Reuse = New Fun!: Discovery Museum; Sat & Sun 12:30pm-4pm
Celebrate Earth Day with some crafting fun for the kids using great recycled materials. Bring home a project constructed out of clean, purposed items. Remember to leave time for enjoying the grounds by having a picnic or exploring the acreage, looking for flowers and wild critters.
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