Time to give Mother Nature her due. Monday, April 22 is the annual Earth Day. Here are some family-friendly festivals, fairs, recycling events, workshops and other celebrations we’ve heard about across the Front Range. With Easter falling on Sunday, April 21, this year, Earth Day events are being staged the Saturday before or the weekend after. If you know of any we’ve missed, send details to info@milehighonthecheap.com. All events are FREE, unless otherwise noted.
Saturday, April 20
Longmont Earth Day Celebration, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sustainable Resilient Longmont stages this event at the Longmont Museum. Includes 20+ education booths, performance by Jeff & Paige and others and an arts & crafts room with earth-themed, recycled art creations. Onsite food trucks include ba-nom-a-nom, Sol Coffee and My Smother From Another Mother. 400 Quail Rd., Longmont.
McGuckin Hardware Earth Day Celebration, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. features earth-friendly product demos, information sharing, food and activities. There’s also a Tree Giveaway! The first 300 customers in the south parking lot get a FREE native sapling to plant in their yard. First come, first serve, while supplies last. Folsom St. side of The Village shopping center, 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder.
National Parks Free Entrance Day, all day. The U.S. Park Service waives entrance fees to all of its 417 parks, monuments and other sites as part of National Park Week. It sounds like a good reason to plan a road trip, whether for a weekend in a nearby state (Utah’s five national parks are fabulous in spring before it gets too hot) or even just for an afternoon to explore the beauty that is Colorado.
Re/Max Momentum Free Community Shred, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Free document shredding to reduce identity theft. Bring all personal and business documents for safe disposal. Available until the truck is full. 8426 E. Northfield Blvd., Ste. 1430, Denver.
Westminster Earth Day Celebration, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Live animal presentations, drop-in tree climbing for kids, ReLeaf Westy tree purchases, electric vehicle test drives, equipment demonstrations, talks with the experts, and more. Free mulch will be available on site. City Park Recreation Center, 10455 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster.
Monday, April 22
Earth Day Denver, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Held at the Wellington Webb Building Atrium. Learn from community green teams, local organizations, and City agencies about the unique ways Denverites can make our city a greener place to live, work, and play. Features interactive and educational displays that demonstrate ways to live more sustainability in your home, community, and work, 201 W. Colfax Ave, Denver.
Green Valley Ranch Library, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Celebrate our wonderful planet with Earth-themed snacks and crafts. All ages welcome. 4856 N. Andes Ct., Denver.
Natural Grocers Arvada: Ladybug Love, 11 a.m. The ladybug has been deemed a fairy godmother for plants. Learn how to protect this vital component of our ecosystem. By taking our pledge, and showing ladybugs and other insects some love, you can make an impact. 7745 Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada.
The Wild Animal Sanctuary, 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Each person who brings a potted tree, shrub or other large plant to donate to the Sanctuary gets FREE admission (normally $30 for adults, $15 for children) to the Sanctuary walkway to view the animals. The Sanctuary provides safe, natural habitats for more than 480 large carnivores (lions, tigers, etc.) rescued from unsafe or inhumane situations. 2999 County Road 53, Keensburg.
Saturday, April 27
Lakewood Earth Day Celebration, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lakewood Heritage Center. Showcases products and resources to help you better the Earth. Fitness activities happen every hour, alongside sustainable gardening demonstrations. Also kids crafts, interactive art, food and a beer garden. Music is by Rocky Mountain Steel Band, Turkey Foot, Thunder & Rain and The 14ers. A FREE bike valet service will be available for those who choose to pedal to the festivities. 801 S. Yarrow St., Lakewood.
Earth Sweet Botanicals Earth Day Celebration, noon to 5 p.m. Celebrate the bee for Earth Day. Free honey tastings and organic popcorn with botanical sprinkles. Try a refreshing Floral Elixir Mocktail and a tasty cup of chocolate chia pudding (dirt cups). Meet a beekeeper, see bee equipment and let the kids try on a beekeeper hat. Take home a FREE “beehouse box”, with pollinator seeds to plant. GoFarm will also be here with information about food shares, a raffle and a fruit & honey tasting. 1224 Arapahoe St., Golden.
Various Locations
CO
