Celebrate Earth with fair, parade

Spokane’s Earth Day celebration is moving back to an earthier location.

The event Saturday will take place at Riverfront Park after two years on Main Avenue on downtown’s east end, “which was nice, too, but not enough greenery, perhaps,” said Mike Petersen, executive director of the Lands Council, who helped organize the event.

The day of music, vendor-hopping, food, and humans dressed as animals on parade will help kick off a season of anniversary events marking the 40th anniversary of Expo ’74, the environmentally themed world’s fair.

The opening ceremony includes a traditional welcoming by Spokane Tribe member Carol Evans.

“In a way, they’re our hosts, because this was their native land,” Petersen said.

More speakers, drummers, dancers and a lineup of bands will follow on the event’s main stage. Among performers: Tommy G & Bodhi Drip, the B Radicals and the Angela Marie Project.

Off the stage, children can get their faces painted or create masks, and more than 60 vendors are expected to set up booths.

Aerial dancers will perform near the Looff Carrousel.

Children and adults are invited to dress in animal costumes for the Procession of the Species, which will start at noon near the main stage area and wind around the park.

No registration is required for the parade. Just show up a little before noon, whiskers affixed.

Adrian Rogers

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

Where: The main stage will be in the central meadow, north of the Rotary Fountain, with other attractions nearby

Admission: Free

Online: A full main-stage schedule is available at earthdayspokane.org