The Community Environmental Council (CEC) and its long-time festival partner CarpEvents will host the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival, April 27-28 at Alameda Park.

Festival hours are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, April 28. The festival is free to attend.

Four young people wearing light blue Earth Day logo t-shirts stand beneath a sign welcoming visitors to the Earth Day event. (Courtesy photo)
Members of the Earth Day crew get ready to welcome visitors to Santa Barbara’s Earth Day Festival, April 27-28 at Alameda Park. (Courtesy photo)

Now in its 54th year, the Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival is one of the longest-running Earth Day celebrations in the country, and one of the largest on the West Coast.

Tens of thousands of community members are anticipated to attend to connect with climate-forward businesses and organizations, engage in climate-focused educational activities, hear from speakers on a variety of environmental topics, enjoy locally sourced food and beverage, and listen to live music.

A highlight of the festival will be the Environmental Hero Awards Ceremony, noon Sunday, April 28 on the Main Stage. This year’s award goes to Alejandra Warren, co-founder and executive director of Plastic Free Future (PFF), a California-based nonprofit committed to the reduction and elimination of plastic pollution.

The annual Explore Ecology Awards will round out the Environmental Hero Awards Ceremony. This year’s winners include: Clubs: Clean and Green Club at Vieja Valley and Ocean Guardians at Kellogg School; Students, K-6th: Margo Leven and Moxi McLeod; Students, 7th-12th: Gio Alfaro and Ethan Maday; Teachers, K-6th: Teri Briggs and Lori Leach; Teacher, 7th-12th: Jennifer Rasmussen.

A Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival staple is the longest running Green Car show in the nation, featuring the latest electric and hybrid vehicle technology.

The Green Car exhibit’s annual Ride & Drive component offers attendees an opportunity to experience the look, feel and performance of the latest electric vehicles and bikes, including from Rivian, Lucid, and Rad Power Bikes.

There is a limited number of spaces available for Ride & Drive; sign up is onsite. Visitors can find the car exhibit at Santa Barbara and Micheltorena streets.

Spanish-speaking staff will be on hand (identified with “Hablo Español” name badges) to provide information and resources on electric vehicles, home energy efficiency upgrades, and how to become a climate activist.

Detailed information including maps and stage schedules are available online at www.SBEarthDay.org.