With Earth Day coming up on Friday, April 22, many Texans are looking for ways to honor the environment while attending fun events for the entire family.
Both Dallas and Houston hold major Earth Day festivals that attract visitors from all over the state. Here's more information on how you can celebrate Earth Day 2016 in these areas:
Dallas
Earth Day Texas, a three-day event held near downtown Dallas, is the world's largest public exhibition devoted to environmental stewardship. The event offers a range of educational opportunities with presentations and interactive programs from environmental organizations, businesses, academic institutions, government agencies and expert speakers.
The festival is also packed with live music and beer and food pavilions featuring sustainably produced refreshments. The "Untapped Sustainable Beer Garden" and "Savor Dallas Sustainable Food Market" are new to the festivities this year.
Now in its fifth year, Earth Day Texas takes place April 22-24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The festivities are held in both indoor and outdoor areas of Fair Park, which covers 277 acres in the heart of Dallas. In addition to live music, food and educational programming, the festival includes:
- A "Green Library" of books covering environmental topics
- Art exhibits
- Charity marathons and walkathons
- Bikes races
- Film screenings
- Landscaping workshops
- LEGO building groups
- Petting zoos
- Seed sharing
- Yoga in the park
Admission to Earth Day Texas is free.
Houston
The City of Houston will hold its official Earth Day 2016 celebration on Saturday, April 16, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Sam Houston Park in downtown. The 11th annual festival, co-hosted by the nonprofit Air Alliance Houston, is expected to draw thousands of attendees to enjoy a live local music stage, kids' area and environmental education zones. Environmental and health organizations will be on hand to provide information on air, land and water conservation, sustainability, healthy living, clean transportation and more.
The Earth Day Houston celebration will also include:
- A beer and wine garden
- Art projects
- Food trucks
- Free Coca-Cola refreshments for registered guests
- A free plant giveaway
- More than 100 exhibitors
- Tiny home tours
- Yoga and tai chi demonstrations
Proceeds from the event will benefit Air Alliance Houston, which works to reduce air pollution in Houston. The event is free to attend.
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In addition to the main festivities, the city will hold other Earth Day events, including an art auction on April 22 and the "Green Film Series" documentary screenings at Rice University. Families may also want to visit the Houston Arboretum, which will hold its free, all ages Earth Day Celebration from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23. The event includes scavenger hunts, games, guided hikes, wildflower planting activities and face painting.
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