Miami Earthfest 2008: Celebrate Earth Day and PEACE on April 20th : Miami IMC

Environment friendly event features live music, spoken-word performances, hands-on workshops, Eco-tram tours, nature walks, community drum circle and much more

MIAMI – South Floridians live in an environment envied by many around the world, a tropical eco-system surrounded by the ocean, with canals, lakes, river, and Biscayne Bay. Residents and visitors alike need to protect this environment, cities that make up the area, and the County as a whole. In honor of Earth Day, Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation and Earth Learning join a number of co-hosts in presenting Earthfest 2008, an environment friendly event for the whole family on Sunday, April 20, 2008, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crandon Park Visitor and Biscayne Nature Center, 6767 Crandon Blvd., located at the North Beach entrance of Crandon Park. Admission is free. Parking at Crandon Park is $5 and there will be free shuttle service from Vizcaya Metrorail Station to the event. To encourage bicycling, Green Mobility Network will offer a free bike valet service with parking in a secure area.

The event will showcase artists whose work expresses consistent messages of sustainability, interdependence, peace, unity, compassion and action towards positive change to protect the environment. Musical guests include Here II Here (formerly Inner Voice); Agape with Nadia Harris; Ana Kanpa; Deblois; Fabio Patino & Musicians; Michelle Forman; and child rap artist Lil’ Peppi..

There will be hands-on nature workshops; “green” vendors; environmental education organizations; organic and vegetarian food vendors; Miami-Dade Parks’ EcoAdventure tram tours and nature walks; Kids Corner with hands-on activities throughout the day and more.

In addition, there will be a community drum circle taking place at 4:30 p.m. in front of the main stage and will be led by some of the artists performing. Patrons are encouraged to bring a drum or other percussion instrument to participate. A drum circle reflects the rhythm of the earth and is a form of communication and celebration in many cultures.

Families are also encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs to enjoy the outdoor concerts, and to bring old or used electronics or computers and/or computer parts for recycling.

Pre-event activities include 8 a.m. bird walk at Crandon Beach, 8:30 a.m. eco-fitness on Crandon Beach and 9 a.m. kayak tour ($10/person) (call 305-361-6767, ext. 112 for reservations).

Earthfest 2008 is organized by Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Department and Earth Learning. Sponsors include Miami-Dade County District 7 Commissioner Carlos A. Gimenez, CBS Outdoor Advertising, Friends of WLRN, Imagine Miami, Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, Miami Dade College Earth Ethics Institute, Miami New Times, Whole Foods Market (Pinecrest).

Miami-Dade Parks creates outstanding recreational, natural and cultural experiences to enrich you and to enhance our community for this and future generations.
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Miami-Dade Parks provides quality and diverse cultural and recreational experiences for persons with disabilities. Call 305-755-7848 (V) or 305-755-7980 (TDD) to request materials in accessible format, a sign language interpreter (five days notice required) and for information on access for persons with disabilities.