The 2010 Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival is slated for Saturday, April 24, from 11am – 5pm at the Village at Palisades Tahoe USA.

This all-ages, community sponsored event gives participants an opportunity to learn about recycling/composting, alternative energy, sustainability, watershed and forest health, and reducing ecological footprints via a diverse array of agency representatives and earth-friendly vendors. It is the largest eco-event in the North Lake Tahoe / Truckee area, over 6,000 people attended in 2009.

Earth Day is a Zero Waste event. Typical trash receptacles will not be available in effort to drastically minimize waste. Booth participants are requested to minimize handouts and implement other forms of waste reduction. All food vendors will be using biodegradable take-out containers made of either paper or PLA, a high tech starch-based plastic. Food and biodegradable waste will be collected and composted by Full Circle Compost in Minden, Nevada.

In addition to Saturday’s festivities, there is an entire week of events scheduled to celebrate Earth Day. And don't forget the earth day raffle. This year holds some extra special prizes!

New Kids Activities - Dr. Solar and Rolling ReCreate

Dr. Solar’s self-contained solar powered portable traveling family entertainment experience is a eco-friendly gypsy wagon affair that would make P.T. Barnum drool and features an Eco-Themed interactive show. In addition, Rolling reCREATE will be bringing a vehicle full of fun and fascinating material for a hands-on craft experience that encourages everyone to rethink their notion of trash. They’ll provide the trash, tools and instruction for your kids to build a masterpiece out of repurposed goods! Kids of all ages are encouraged to attend; activities begin at 11am and will be held at the base area of Palisades Tahoe USA.

3 Great Bands!

Continuing the excellent tradition of great music at Earth Day, this year we are featuring three bands during the day. The line up includes local favorites Drop Theory, the Mark Sexton Band and headliner, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band. Follow the music schedule online at www.tahoetruckeeearthday.org.

Envirolution Trashion Show

Back by popular demand to the festivities this year is the Envirolution Trashion Show. The Truckee High School Envirolution Club “Trashion” show is a recycling fashion show of artsy outfits (made by the students themselves) that are created out of materials that do not biodegrade easily. Each outfit has a commentary piece that is funny and educational, sending a message of positive action; everyone can consciously work at reducing, reusing, and recycling...the time to start is now!  The youth involved in Bright Futures provide specific actions that reduce energy use and waste at school sites, homes and businesses by involving more students in making a positive difference.

Do Your Part. Ride TART

T.A.R.T. will be offering free transportation to and from the event from North Lake Tahoe, Incline Village and Truckee.

SYRCL’s Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival - 2 Venues/ 2 Nights
Earth Day kicks off officially on Tuesday, April 20th with the return of the SYRCL’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Do to overwhelming success last year, the event steps up with two locations this year, Sierra Nevada College (Tuesday,  April 20th)  and the Olympic Village Lodge (Friday, April 23rd). This series of relevant, thought-provoking and often humorous films and shorts is not to be missed! Two different shows will be offered during the week, with different films shown on each night. Both Film Festival evening start at 7pm.Get your tickets early. Tickets are $10 in advance and at the door and are on sale now at New Moon in Truckee and Tahoe City. Seating is limited. Get your tickets early!

Palisades Tahoe Institute Earth Day Speaker
Earth Day this year involves more than just the main event and the film festival. We’ve added new events this year to keep you engaged and inspired during the whole week of Earth Day. We’re pleased to partner with Palisades Tahoe Institute in offering a dynamic Earth Day speaker on Wednesday, April 21st at the Resort at Squaw Creek.  Doug Helmuth will present the topic: “Satellite's Potential to Monitor Climate Change”, beginning at 5:30pm with a no-host bar. For more information, visit  www.tahoetruckeeearthday.org.

Slow Food Lake Tahoe Pot-Luck
Share in a community meal highlighting regionally produced foods & get to know your neighbors. This event will be held on Thursday, April 22nd from 5-8pm at Bistro 22, in the Village at Palisades Tahoe. To learn more about Slow Food Lake Tahoe, visit www.slowfoodlaketahoe.org

Call for Volunteers!
This event could not take place without hundreds of volunteer hours. Earth Day is seeking volunteers for the day of the event. If you would like to volunteer, email taddojones@gmail.com.

Your Support Is Encouraged
Tahoe Truckee Earth Day needs your support. To participate, donate or for more information visit www.TahoeTruckeeEarthDay.org or contact Emily Williams, Committee Chair, at 775-298-0231.