Earth Day fests growing across North Texas

 

March 18, 2014


By Julie Thibodeaux

These days communities around DFW are putting on their own Earth Day celebrations. Many are scheduled weeks ahead of the green holiday to avoid competing with other events. That's good news for greenies as that means we can attend more of them.

The green fun begins this Saturday out west in Cowtown and ends in late April with the mother of all Earth fests: Earth Day Texas in Big D.

Here's the lineup. All on our list are free.

 

Photo courtesy of Earth Day Texas.

Fort Worth Earth Party: March 22,
11am-2pm, Fort Worth 

The eco-fest season kicks off with a celebration in Sundance Square, featuring 50 green vendors and the musical group Vocal Trash. Started as an after-party for the Cowtown Cleanup, the city hopes to grow it into Fort Worth’s premier Earth Day event. 


Southlake Green Fest: March 29,
10 am-5pm, Southlake

Founded by the nonprofit group Greenfellows, Bob Jones Nature Center has taken over this grassroots event held at Southlake Town Square. The sixth annual fest will feature nearly 40 green vendors, entertainment and drawings. Students K-6th grade can bring in their juice pouches for a chance to win an Apple iPad.


Grapevine Epic Earth Day: April 5, 8am-7pm, Grapevine 

The fourth annual event will feature keynote speaker Chad Pegracke, CNN 2013 Hero of the Year. His organization, Living Lands & Water, comprised of 70,000 volunteers, have removed 7 million pounds of garbage from the nation’s rivers. Pegracke speaks at 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 200 S. Main St.

Other festival highlights include the Eco House, featuring full-scale rooms with green updates.Tours will be given at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

E-waste recycling will also be available along with green vendors and kid’s activities.


Environmental Health Fair & Trash-Off: April 5, 8:30am-1pm, Flower Mound

Community-wide clean up and fair promoting an eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle. Paper shredding for residents. Housewares and electronics collection. The Trinity Forks Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas will also be offering a wide selection of hard-to-plants for sale from 10am-1pm.


Earthfest Allen: April 5, 10 am-2pm, Allen

Held at the Connemara Conservancy Meadow, the outdoor festival includes nature walks, kayaking, kite flying and wildlife ambassadors.

 

Eco-Film Fest: April 11-16, Irving

The city of Irving hosts its annual green film fest, featuring environmental films, including Bat City USA, a documentary about the Austin bats. See website for complete schedule. 



EcoCoppell Earthfest: April 12, 9 am-1pm, Coppell 

Event goers can enjoy hands-on environmental demonstrations, education booths, kid’s crafts and entertainment, two bands, organic plant sale, Tesla electric car show, bungee trampoline, food trucks, Professor Brainius and kite flying at Coppell Town Center.


River Legacy Earth Day: April 12,10am-2 pm, Arlington

Arlington nature center presents nature walks, story times and crafts.


Redbud Festival: April 12, 10am-4pm, Denton  

Held at the Denton Civic Center, the combination Arbor and Earth Day event displays more than 70 booths with tree and plant sales, gardening products, landscaping services and home improvement items. 


Learn to Live Green: April 12, 10 am-4pm, Plano

Festival hosted by the city of Plano at the Shops at Legacy features speakers, demonstrations, hands-on activities, entertainment and a green art show.

New this year, butterfly bike rides from the Austin Bike Zoo. There will also be a mountain bike track and an instrument petting zoo. 


Promise of Peace Ecofest: April 12, Noon-4pm, Dallas

The Dallas community garden hosts this event featuring music, food and eco-friendly activities at the Imagine Garden. A fun run precedes the fest at 11 a.m. Registration fee for run is $10/adults and $6/kids. 


Oak Cliff Earth Day: April 12, Noon-5pm, Dallas

This popular neighborhood Earth Day celebration held in Lake Cliff Park features 100-plus vendors, animal adoptions, dog parade, food trucks and electronic recycling.

 

Bluebonnet Trails Festival: April 12-13, 9am-5pm, Ennis

During the month of April, the bluebonnets are on display in Ennis and the city provides a mapshowcasing the best viewing spots along 40 miles of driving trails.

In addition, the city puts on a weekend festival with arts and crafts, children’s activities, entertainment and bluebonnet souvenirs. 

 

 

DCCCD Sustainability Summit: April 16,
8am-3pm, Irving

Dallas County Community College District hosts this environmentally-themed event at North Lake College, featuring break-out sessions and a green expo. Permaculture expert Toby Hemenway provides this year's keynote address. Includes lunch.


Benbrook Green Earth Day: April 19,
9:30am-2pm, Benbrook

Tarrant County community hosts this eco-fest showcasing environmental speakers, activities, educational displays and tips on healthy living. 

 

Cedar Hill Earth Day: April 21, 5-8pm, Cedar Hill

The city hosts the family friendly celebration at the Government Center. Includes a self-guided video tour of sustainable exhibits that event-goers can access via QR codes, tree planting, recyclable crafts, green booths, face painting and entertainment.  

 

Prairie Fest: April 26, 11am-sunset,
Fort Worth

Held in the picturesque Tandy Hills Natural Area, this down-home green shindig includes wildflower tours, nature hikes, green booths, plein air painters, live music and food. 


 

Bluebird Festival: April 26, Wills Point 

City named Bluebird Capital of Texas celebrates the iconic bird with arts and crafts, pageant, carnival and bluebird tours in Van Zandt county, east of Dallas. 

 

 



Earth Day Texas: April 26-27, 10am-6pm, Dallas

Formally known as Earth Day Dallas, this is the largest Earth Day event in Texas, if not the world.

Held at Dallas Fair Park, the two-day green fest features hundreds of green vendors, environmental organizations and colleges along with speakers and films.   

 

Don't see one of your favorite Earth Day fests on our list? Email Julie@GreenSourceDFW.org.


Julie Thibodeaux is the Managing Editor for Green Source DFW. Previously, she worked as an editor and writer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Contact her at Julie@greensourcedfw.org.

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