City to Host 20th Annual Alexandria Earth Day

The city of Alexandria will host the 20th annual Alexandria Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration April 20.

The events takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ben Brenman Park, 4800 Brenman Park Drive. This year’s theme is “Water: Every Drop Counts,” highlighted by the third annual Upcycling Showcase.

Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials. The showcase features students from Alexandria City Public Schools, who will model fashions created from upcycled materials. The showcase will also highlight music, dance, literature and visual arts produced by the students.

Earth Day features city agencies and organizations dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Residents can explore a new hybrid trolley and DASH bus, an electric car fueled by energy generated from the Covanta Energy-from-Waste facility and other green vehicles. Exhibitors will provide environmental educational activities for the family.

Additional activities include the Annual Earth Day Tree Sale, live animal exhibits, the fifth annual Ellen Pickering Award presentation and the Arbor Day tree planting. There will also be live music by the earth-conscious band Woven Green, whose debut album was nominated for a Wammie in the pop rock category. Admission is free, food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The Alexandria Earth Day Committee is making the day a zero-waste, carbon-neutral event. For additional information on the Alexandria Earth Day event and tree sale, visit www.alexearthday.org.

The city’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services and the Environmental Policy Commission are sponsoring the Earth Day Celebration. Visitors are encouraged to take public transit, walk or bike to the event.

For additional information on alternative modes of transportation, visit www.alexearthday.org. Additional parking is available at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, located at 435 Ferdinand Day Drive.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be relocated to Tucker Elementary. For additional information on Earth Day Activities, visit www.alexearthday.org or call the Special Events Hotline at 703-746-5592 or the Special Events Office at 703-746-5418.