Once a hippie holiday, now a fully mainstream observance (especially in Austin), Earth Day 2012 is coming this Sunday. Get your credit card and your Djembe drum ready, because here in town, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Mother Earth, and give a little something back.
SHOPPING
Over 110 Austin businesses will donate five percent of their profits to environmental causes, such as Friends of Barton Springs Pool and the Hill Country Conservancy. That makes Sunday a great time to do grocery shopping (Whole Foods and Wheatsville Food Co-Op are participating), go to the cleaners (at Eco Clean Garment and Laundry), or take your pet to the vet (at Austin Vet Care), to name a few participants.
FOOD + CRAFTS
The City of Austin's Earth Day Festival will not only feature a petting zoo and magic, but several Austin-local food vendors. (4550 Mueller Central Blvd., Sunday April 22, beginning 12 p.m.)
The Sustainable Food Center Downtown Farmer’s Market will host a family picnic in celebration of Earth Day, to honor local food, music, art, alternative education and activism. The SFC will provide extra space for eco-education and local non-profits. (400 Guadalupe, Republic Square Park, beginning at 8 a.m.)
Free materials for creative endeavors will be given away at Zerolandfill Austin City Center Workplace Resource Warehouse. Fabric, tiles, glass, plastic, paper, vinyl, stone, and more will be given away for repurposing. Projects from artists will be on display for inspiration. (Zerolandfill Austin City Center, 4509 Freidrich Ln, Bldg 4, Ste 418, Saturday April 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
MUSIC
Will Scott, Jan Bell, and the Lonesome Heroes will play an Earth Day concert lineup at Papi Tino's. It's a fundraiser fueled by do-gooding (donations go to the Austin-based Rainforest Partnership), as well as alcohol: in exchange for every donation, folks will receive a free cocktail from the Greenbar Collective. (1306 E. Sixth St., beginning at 5 p.m.)
GREATER AUSTIN
Pflugerville
Toy Time in Pflugerville will sponsor a free craft event featuring projects such as color a paper planter, color an Earth Day poster, or make a tissue paper flower. There will be a 10% discount on all renewable energy items as well. (Toy Time, 101-B Pecan St West, Saturday April 21, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.)
Round Rock
Round Rock Public Library will host environmentally themed crafts, stories and games for kids. (Round Rock Library Room C, 216 E Main St., Round Rock, Monday April 23, 3:30 p.m. - 4:40 p.m.)
Salado
The Village of Salado will celebrate Earth Day with activities including a kite making completion, rain barrel and composting bin workshops, and wellness fair. There will also be a butterfly exhibit, crafts for children and Texas State musician Tom Taylor will perform. (Village of Salado Main St., Salado, Saturday April 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)
Visit AustinEarthDay.com for more events.