From the press release . . .

Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd with a free family-friendly festival in Whitefish!

The third annual Flathead Earth Day Celebration will be at a new location this year, on the lawn at Whitefish Middle School (at the intersection of Second Street and Spokane Avenue in downtown Whitefish – or inside the school in the event of rain). From 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM, explore over 40 booths hosted by local conservation organizations and green businesses. Each booth will feature a different hands-on activity or craft focused on one of four Earth Day pillars: Grow It, Fix It, Save It,and Live It.

Attendees will be able to plant their own seeds, create repurposed art and toys, visit with live raptors, identify local wildlife and plants, learn about local fish and rivers, sort out how to recycle and help paint a community recycle bin, master how to Leave No Trace, meet Woodsy the Owl and Gracie the “Bark Ranger”, see aquaponics and solar power in action, and discover opportunities to keep celebrating Earth Day all year long – just to name a few!

Kids are encouraged to bring their bicycle for the bike rodeo obstacle course to practice important safety skills. There will be free bike safety checks and tire fills available for bicyclists of all ages.

Participants that complete activities at 10 or more booths with their Earth Day Punch Card will receive a complimentary coffee or treat from Montana Coffee Traders, as long as they go green by bringing their own mug!

Between booth activities, festival goers can enjoy live music, guest speakers, and interactive presentations at the Earth Day Stage (schedule below), or reach new heights on the Get-a-Grip rock-climbing wall and jumper, available free of charge. Local food trucks will be dishing out fresh lunch fare and tasty treats.

E-waste recycling will be collected at the event. E-waste includes computers, flat screen monitors,printers, laptops, servers, cell phones, flat screen televisions, stereos, VCRs, and similar electronics.Old tube CRT televisions or monitors cannot be recycled at the event.

This lively, fun-filled event is a chance to celebrate and learn about all things green in the Flathead.The festival is made possible by Citizens for a Better Flathead, Glacier National Park Lodges,Montana Coffee Traders, and Valley Recycling.

Earth Day Stage Schedule:
11:00 AM – Live music by Here to Make Friends
12:00 PM – A Special Welcome from Glacier National Park
1:00 PM – Wild Bird Show with Wild Wings Recovery Center
1:30 PM – Meet Gracie, the Glacier National Park “Bark Ranger”
2:00 PM – Climate Smart Champion Awards Ceremony with Climate Smart Glacier Country

Find more information on Citizens for a Better Flathead’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CitizensforaBetterFlathead/) or at www.flatheadcitizens.org.