LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Fun in the sun at Earth Day festival


Festival goers get an inside look at a beehive. Photo Jeff Heyman

Hundreds of Lamorindans turned out on a picture-perfect Sunday for this year's Lafayette Earth Day Festival, held on Sunday, April 21 in Lafayette Plaza, the city's long-time community gathering place. The annual festival, put on by Sustainable Lafayette in cooperation with the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lafayette, took a different direction this year by being held outdoors and putting the emphasis on making Earth Day an all-in-the-family affair.

There were activities for everyone: Adults could visit the city's Environmental Task Force booth to try out battery-powered leaf blowers (and be reminded that gas-powered leaf blowers will be banned in Lafayette starting July 1), while kids - and the young at heart - could lose themselves with fluffy and feathered friends in the Lamorinda 4-H Club petting zoo, or enjoy a myriad of games and activities at the All Ages Recreation Downtown booth. And no one will forget the beekeeping display that delighted young and old alike. Jan Pinkerton Spieth from the Mount Diablo Beekeepers Association brought an observation beehive, which she used to point out the queen to fascinated onlookers.

Bicyclists had their bikes tuned up free of charge thanks to 511 Contra Costa, and everyone was encouraged to learn how to do more to improve our environment. There were booths and displays devoted to wildlife, sustainability, wildflower planting, farmers markets, recycling and composting, community gardening, and more, including how to make earth-friendly art. For Earth Day 2024, Lafayette Plaza was the place to be; it was clear from the broad smiles and infectious excitement, Lamorindans were delighted - and educated - by this year's Lafayette Earth Day Festival.