The Second Annual Green Prize Festival will take place at Cesar Chavez Park on Saturday, April 25 from 11:00AM to 7:00PM. Green Education, this year’s festival presenters, are promising an even bigger event this year, according to the announcement, and will showcase environmental solutions at a community level.
This one-day free, family-friendly event will highlight urban farmers, artisan chefs, live entertainment, artists, green technology, sustainable transportation, alternative health and wellness, environmental organizations as well as education through workshops, demonstrations, a speaker series and the first Clean Energy and Transportation Forum.
Attendees can ride their bicycles to the festival and store their two-wheeled modes of transportation at a free bike valet or receive a discount for taking the Metro. Test drive an electric vehicle, enjoy the Beer Garden of Earthly Delights, eco-friendly vendors, food trucks, activities for kids and lastly, attend the Green Prize Award Ceremony, which will recognize local and neighboring community sustainability achievements.
Green Prize Festival Founder and President of Green Education, Stella Ursua said in a statement, “Efforts to create a more sustainable Long Beach can be seen throughout the city, and just like last year, we have many organizations and individuals to recognize in categories ranging from: local green builder, urban farm, small business, neighborhood association, green chef/restaurant, green school, artist, non-profit/community organization and local govt. The sustainability movement is growing by leaps and bounds in every industry and our efforts are an example for other cities interested in becoming more environmentally-focused.”
“The Green Prize Festival and the Clean Energy & Transportation Forum are great events that showcase our community’s passion and hard work on behalf of a sustainable economy,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement. “I greatly appreciate the energy and knowledge contributed by so many volunteers in support of a greener Long Beach.”
The Green Prize Festival’s location in the First District at Cesar Chavez Park will bring attention to recent improvements such as the ADA accessible Children’s Gateway Garden and the recent amphitheatre expansion, thanks to the Willmore Heritage Association. The festival is held at a different park every year.
Ursua said in a statement, “We have a huge opportunity to connect a traditionally underserved community to sustainability and green practices, which will help to build healthier lives, and a healthier Long Beach in the long run.” Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez said that the festival will be the first of its kind to be hosted at the park in the First District, a defining moment for the community.
Conceptual “villages,” aimed at finding ways to strengthen community ties and showcase environmental solutions on a small, doable scale, will include the Primal Alchemy Fresh Fair village, the SolarCity Cleaner Tech village and the Yogalution ReLeaf village. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own shirt to the ILGWU (Institute for Labor Generosity Workers and Uniforms) village.
Local artists and entertainers, including Bobby Blunders, Machin’ and Long Beach Liberators will perform throughout the day a mixed collection of americana, blues, reggae, spanglish jive and world music.
“Our goal at Green Education Inc. is to partner with stakeholders to educate and transform communities into green, sustainable neighborhoods. With this ambition on our forefront, our organization collaborates with partner organizations, local government and green businesses to educate, elevate and support individuals and families, especially in underserved and pollution burdened areas, to create healthier and sustainable communities. The yearly Green Prize Festival provides us with the venue in which to bring this to fruition, and it is the largest and only public and free event of its kind providing access to this wealth of information to both Long Beach and LA/OC county residents,” said Ursua in a statement.
She continued, “We have created an event that is now an Earth Day staple…I already have requests from other city councilmembers asking that we conduct the event in their district next year and the year after that!”
For more information and for the schedule of events, click here. To learn more about Green Education, click here.
Cesar Chavez Park is located at 401 Golden Ave.
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