RIVER FALLS - Earth Fest returns from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at the University Center at UW-River Falls at 501 Wild Rose Ave., River Falls. The event is free and open to all. Earth Fest is a celebration of community and environmental wellness efforts and a collaborative effort coordinated through Hope for Earth in partnership with the School District of River Falls, the UWRF Sustainability Office, the City of River Falls and many additional entities.     

This year’s event features 80+ exhibitors, a Green Skills Mini-Sampler, a raptor show by Carpenter Nature Center, a clothing swap and mending station, and local and sustainable food samples. Earth Fest is free and open to everyone.

“Earth Fest is all about empowering our community to take practical, joyful steps toward a more sustainable future,” said Mark Klapatch, Earth Fest tri-chair. “Whether someone comes for the hands‑on workshops, the music, the film screening, or the food, they leave feeling connected and inspired.”

Event highlights

• Carpenter Nature Center Raptor Show: At noon, learn about raptors and see them up close, plus learn about conservation.
• Green Skills Sampler: Noon-3 p.m. 20-minute mini sessions on topics including bicycle maintenance, vegetable gardening, zero waste lifestyles, identification and removal of invasive plants, energy efficiency and rebates, useful plants in your backyard, composting, basic home maintenance, EV chargers, food preservation overview, wild mushroom ID, beekeeping and more.

• Trashion Show: 1 p.m. The Trashion Show will highlight the fallout from fast fashion and showcase local talent with creative alternatives. Participants will present outfits made from recycled and repurposed materials, demonstrating innovative and sustainable fashion choices. Three categories will be presented including recycled/upcycled, mended, and thrifted.
• Green Buffalo Film Screening: 2 p.m. The film explores about how the Lower Sioux Indian Community is hoping to revolutionize the tribal housing industry with the use of “hempcrete,” a concrete-like mixture that is sturdy and energy-efficient.

• Creatively Indigenous Art: 2:30 p.m. Melissa Niigaaniigaabowikwe Fowler, owner of Creatively Indigenous, is an Anishinaabe birchbark artist. A member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe and community member of the St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, Melissa discusses her experiences in traditional arts, culture, family life, and Wiigwaas, the sacred birch tree.
• Chris Silver Band: 3 p.m. Close out Earth Fest with the sounds of the Chris Silver Band.

• Exhibitors: 80+ exhibits intended to educate about sustainability-related practices and local opportunities for involvement. There will also be giveaways of trees, laundry detergent sheets and other sustainability related items. Exhibitors will be selling items such as honey, soaps and reusable bags.

• Activities: An assortment of activities for those of all ages will include interactive displays and hands-on arts activities. New this year is a mending station that will be located next to the clothing swap.
• Electric shuttle: Will take visitors the North Hall parking lot to the University center.
• Bring batteries for recycling:Feel free to bring your used batteries for recycling to the event—please note that we can accept all types except lead-acid batteries. Battery drop-off locations will be at each of the University Center main entrances - look for the volunteer greeters.
• Bring clothing for the swap or mending station: Bring 1-2 gently used (adult-sized) clothing items to donate or trade! The clothing swap will be on the lower level. Offered in partnership with The Closet at Our Neighbor's Place and Wiley's Wardrobe at the River Falls High School!
• Bring a well water sample: Free drinking water nitrate screening offered by St. Croix County. This will be on the first floor of the University Center. Bring in 8 oz. of water in a closed container (preferably glass) collected within 24 hours of the event. It is important to run the tap for 10 minutes (on cold at full flow) before collecting the sample. Rather than let that water go down the drain, consider filling buckets to use to water plants!
• ​Bring old prescriptions to turn in
• Bring a reusable water bottle/coffee mug: Help us reduce waste at the event by bringing your own water bottle or coffee mug. There will be one beverage station (water and coffee) on the lower level, one on the first floor, and one on the second floor. 

Parking is available on public streets around UWRF as well as in various campus parking lots.

Attendees are asked to bring well water to be tested and one to two gently used adult clothing items to trade to help reduce throwing away clothing. The site also will be home to battery recycling and unused prescription medication disposal. Event organizers encourage attendees to help reduce waste by bringing their own water bottle or coffee mug for use at the beverage stations.

Old growth sponsors of this year’s event are the City of River Falls and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Additional details, parking maps, and the full schedule are available at hopeforearth.org/earthfest or facebook.com/earthfestRF

Submitted by Hope for Earth