Earth Birth Day

There will be plenty of trees to hug and tofu to eat on Saturday as Omaha celebrates Earth Day at Elmwood Park.

It’s a groovy, far out happenin’ day when everyone – not just old-school and neo-hippies – comes together to celebrate Mother Earth and to, at least for the day, worship its greeness. You dig?

But this year, the volunteer-fueled Earth Day Omaha Coalition hopes to make it more than just one day. With a mission to increase public awareness of environmental issues, Earth Day Omaha has an ideal theme this year: Earth Day Every Day.

So be sure to get out of your pad and feel the love Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be live music, demonstrations, speakers and activities for the kids, as well as food from some of Omaha’s tastiest restaurants and beer in a garden.

There also will be FREE electronic recycling (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) courtesy of RecyclingCentral.com. Bring any electrical item and it will recycle in a safe and secure manner.  Excluded are TVs and monitors. However, they will be accepted for a small fee.

As for the entertainment, here’s a look at this year’s lineup:

MAINSTAGE:

* Schedule subject to change.

11 AM MUSIC Matt Cox

11:50 AM Senator Heath Mello, State of Nebraska

11:55 AM Kristi Wamstad-Evans, Sustainability Coordinator or Omaha

NOON MUSIC: Platte River Rain

12:40 PM Earth Day Every Day: Papio-Missouri NRD; UNO; MCC

12:55 PM DEMONSTRATION: Rain Barrels, with Bobbi Holm

1:10 PM Mayor Suttle, City of Omaha

1:20 PM GEC Grass Roots Award

1:35 PM MUSIC: Bad Country

2:10 PM Earth Day Every Day: Recycling Central

2:15 PM EDOC Friend of the Environment Awards

2:25 PM Earth Day Every Day: Green Omaha Coalition, City Spouts

2:40 PM MUSIC: The Answer Team

3:15 PM Earth Day Every Day: Nebraska Renewable Energy Association, Sierra Club

3:25 PM DEMONSTRATION: Tree Planting with Jessica Kelling

3:40 PM MUSIC: Witness Tree

4:15 PM Earth Day Every Day: USGBC, NSRA, Keep Omaha Beautiful, WasteCap

4:25 PM MUSIC: Brad Hoshaw & the Seven Deadlies

5:20 PM MUSIC: Satchel Grande

 

Find A Green Spot

In celebration of Earth Day we asked community and cultural leaders:

“What is your favorite regional park or outdoor location? What outdoor activities do you enjoy and where do you like to do them?”

“Not so suprisingly, Platte River Rain enjoys spending time at various spots along the Platte River Guitars, fires, and my favorite, sitting on sandbanks with my daughter and communing a bit with the earth. A great person to ask for awesome camping fishing spots would be @George Prescott (aka The River Rat). He has already done his share of fishing so far this spring and even caught my daughter and I a few tadpoles to observe over the next month until we release them again. Many smiles to you! Yay for Earth Day!

– Ashley Rayne Boe, lead singer of Platte River Rain

“I love camping with my kids at Two Rivers. Trout fishing at Two Rivers in the spring is a kick. For a quick and  fun fishing trip, I take my float tube and fly rod to Wehrspann Lake. When I need to fish for trout in a stream and I don’t have time to drive to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, I head to Verdigree Creek.”

– Ernest Richardson, resident conductor of the Omaha Symphony

“Since my grandson started attending the child development center on the College of Saint Mary’s campus, my new favorite park is Stinson Park at Aksarben Village. When it is my turn to pick up Lorenzo, our first stop is always Stinson Park. He loves the swings, slides, climbing wall, running the paths around the perimeter, and his ultimate experience is playing in the dancing waters around the tower.”

– Connie Spellman, director of Omaha by Design

“Memorial Park – One of the finest community parks and landmarks in the region.  It’s recreational opportunities, playground, wide open green spaces, public art, trees,views of St. Margaret Mary’s, and commitment to preserving history in memory of our veterans make it one of a kind.  I run through the park everyday. (Also) Racing Sailboats at Lake Manawa (Council Bluffs) I’ve been racing sailboats at Lake Manawa since I was 5 years old. I love the competition and the physical and mental exercise of racing, and there’s nothing like being out on the water and in the wind all day trying to figure out, predict, and harness the forces of nature.”

– Pete Festersen, Omaha City Councilman representing District 1

“My ideal neighborhood outdoors experience is a run through Dewey Park then dodging golf balls to the Field Club trail. Then a few climbs up the 42nd Street/Vinton Street silos and back home. Midtown represent! Also, Boyer’s Shoot is nice for bird watching this time of year.”

– James Cuanto Ballarin, saxophonist, Satchel Grande