City of Alexandria to Host 20th Annual Alexandria Earth Day on Saturday, April 20

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:

City of Alexandria to Host 20th Annual Alexandria Earth Day on Saturday, April 20
Water:  Every Drop Counts

For Immediate Release: April 3, 2013

The City of Alexandria will host the 20th annual Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Dr., on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s theme is "Water: Every Drop Counts,” highlighted by the third annual Upcycling Showcase. Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials. The showcase features students from Alexandria City Public Schools, who will model fashions created from upcycled materials. The showcase will also highlight music, dance, literature and visual arts produced by the students. 

Earth Day features City agencies and organizations dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Explore a new hybrid Trolley and DASH bus, an electric car fueled by energy generated from the Covanta Energy-from-Waste facility, and other green vehicles. Exhibitors will provide environmental educational activities for the whole family, which will evoke the spirit of Earth Day.

Additional activities include the Annual Earth Day Tree Sale; live animal exhibits; the fifth annual Ellen Pickering Award presentation and the Arbor Day tree planting.  Also featured will be live music by the earth-conscious band Woven Green, whose debut album was nominated for a Wammie in the pop rock category. Admission is free, food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Alexandria Earth Day is based on the need to promote education and lead us all to a green and sustainable future, in keeping with the goals of the Eco-City Alexandria Initiative.  In addition, the Alexandria Earth Day Committee has promised to make this a zero-waste, carbon-neutral event. For additional information on the Alexandria Earth Day event and tree sale, visit www.alexearthday.org.

The City’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services, and the Environmental Policy Commission are sponsoring the Earth Day Celebration.

Visitors are encouraged to take public transit, walk or bike to the event. For additional information on alternative modes of transportation, visit www.alexearthday.org. Additional parking is available at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, located at 435 Ferdinand Day Drive.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School. For additional information on Earth Day Activities, visitwww.alexearthday.org or call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Special Events Office at 703.746.5418.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, contact Maureen Sturgill at 703.746.5418 (VA Relay 711) or e-mailmaureen.sturgill@alexandriava.gov.