Earth Day is this Sunday, and there is a smorgasbord of events planned in the NYC area to celebrate our planet. I’ve trolled through a bunch of them and come up with this short list of activities to try. Of course, it’s totally biased. These are things I would like to do!
Green Vehicles Fashion Show
Friday, April 20, 11-1pm Father Duffy Plaza, Times Square
Eco-friendly cars are featured from fully-electric sportscars, to hybrid street-sweeping trucks. Concept cars, everyday cars, Li-Ions and tigers and bears, oh my! If it’s fueled by electricity or another alternative fuel, you just might see it in this parade.
http://bit.ly/JcQgqY
FREE Pedicab Ride
Saturday & Sunday, April 21-22, Penn Station 33rd & 8th
Take a FREE Pedicab to the Green Festival, the “Nation’s Premiere Sustainability Event” at Jacob Javits Center. Pick-up place is at Penn Station. Look for the Green Festival-themed pedicabs and you’re on your way.
http://bit.ly/HQsCAz
“Make a Salad” Art Performance
Sunday, April 22, 10-1pm Chelsea Market Passage on the High Line (16th Street & 10th Ave)
Visit the High Line, watch a giant salad get made to the beat of a different drum, and eat at a communal table as part of the High Line’s Earth Day festivities.
http://bit.ly/HQsLnE
NYC SAFE Disposal Event
Sunday, April 22, 10-4pm Union Square, north plaza
Drop off your household & automotive chemicals, spent rechargeable batteries, old electronics and more at this Department of Sanitation event. Check their website for details on accepted items and drop-off events in all 5 boroughs.
http://on.nyc.gov/JcR9jb
Picnic for the Planet
Sunday, April 22 11-4pm NY Botanical Garden, Bronx
Join a global picnic with the Nature Conservancy’s Picnic for the Planet campaign. Check this website for your nearest picknicking location, or create your own!
http://bit.ly/I2aeYH
Nocturnal Wildlife of Central Park
Sunday, April 22, 7pm Belvedere Castle
Catch up on some wildlife viewing (and I don’t mean of the human kind!) in this program led by Urban Park Rangers.
http://bit.ly/JgIWxf
FESTIVALS
There are so many to choose from in the neighborhoods of NYC, but these are just a few that caught my eye.
Earth Fair NYC
April 19-21, Grand Central Station
http://bit.ly/I61qAn
Harlem Earth Day
April 22, Parks throughout Harlem
http://bit.ly/HPRHAd
Green Festival NYC
April 21-22, Javits Center North
http://bit.ly/IKIyTC
Whether you venture out or enjoy a relaxing day at home, this weekend I hope you take a moment to feel the sun on your face, or the rain, or the breeze. That’s right. I did it. I basically just asked you to stop and smell the roses. And what better occasion than Earth Day?
