Earthy events

It’s Earth Day in the City of Trees. In other words, it’s kind of a big deal. Technically, Earth Day happens Monday, April 22. But let’s face it: That’s kind of a hard day and most of us are prepping for a new work or school week on Monday. Don’t worry: Plenty of Earth Day happenings are scheduled throughout the week in the Sacramento area—from small electric-vehicle meet-ups to huge community celebrations. Here are a few events SN&R thinks are worth checking out.

Sacramento Earth Day

This annual festival at Southside Park (2115 Sixth Street) happens at 11 a.m. on Sunday, April 21. Presented by the Environmental Council of Sacramento, the event serves up live music (Fenix Drum and Dance Company, the Trist, the James Israel Band, Fo’shange and the New Traditionalists), vegan eats (Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant, Plum Cafe & Bakery, Rainbow Snow), free valet bike parking and plenty of vendor booths offering merchandise and tips on how to be green. The free festival ends at 4 p.m. For more information, call (916) 444-0022 or visit www.sacramentoearthday.net.

Celebrate the Earth Festival

Roseville’s Earth Day festival happens at Mahany Regional Park (1501 Pleasant Grove Boulevard in Roseville) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 20. Entertainment includes live animal shows, environmentally friendly craft making, local green vendors, and dance and music performances. It’s free and lasts until 3 p.m. Visit www.roseville.ca.us/explore/earthday.asp for more information.

Green Day at the Grove II

Sacramento Municipal Utility District and Nissan of Elk Grove team up to throw this Earth Day bash at Nissan of Elk Grove (8590 Laguna Grove Drive in Elk Grove) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. The free event offers electric-vehicle demonstrations, e-waste collection, live music, food and the unveiling of Northern California’s first fast-charging station for the Nissan Leaf. Call (888) 355-4768 or head to www.foranyauto.com for details.

Children’s Earth Day Celebration

California Assemblyman Ken Cooley and the Sacramento Children’s Museum host an educational celebration for kids. Earth Day activities and lessons will be offered at the Sacramento Children’s Museum (2701 Prospect Park in Rancho Cordova) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 20. Admission ($7) is half-price for people wearing green. Call (916) 638-7225 or visit www.sacramentochildrensmuseum.org for more information.

Green California Summit

This two-day summit happening Thursday, April 18, and Friday, April 19, at the Sacramento Convention Center (1400 J Street) is a gathering of green-industry stakeholders both public and private. It features networking opportunities, product showcases, lectures and a plug-in electric-vehicle fair. For pricing information and more, call (626) 577-5700 or visit www.green-technology.org/gcsummit-2013.

Wild for the Yuba

A fundraising event for the South Yuba River Citizens League, creators of the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Wild for the Yuba is an evening of wine and beer tasting (American River Brewing Company, Nevada City Winery and more), food (Emily’s Catering & Cakes) and live music (Jay Ladner, Elena Powell and Saul Rayo). It happens at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Grass Valley Veterans Memorial Building (255 S. Auburn Street in Grass Valley). Tickets are $40, or $20 for designated drivers. Head to http://yubariver.org/wild-for-the-yuba for more details.