San Diego EarthFest expected to welcome thousands to Balboa Park

San Diego’s largest Earth Day celebration will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday in Balboa Park, with more than 10,000 people expected to engage with  140 sustainable food, product and service vendors.

San Diego EarthFest runs through 5 p.m. on the Presidents Way Lawn, located at Park Boulevard and Presidents Way. Several dozen environmental and conservation groups will be in attendance to share resources, allowing San Diegans to live a “more planet-friendly lifestyle.”

“After the incredible turnout over the last several years, we are so excited to continue the tradition of celebrating Earth Day at Balboa Park,” said Michelle May, director of Viridian Productions, the company putting on EarthFest. “We have so many options for attendees this year. They can spend the day enjoying sustainable food from around the world, listening to live music, learning at the Education Stage, taking yoga and wellness classes or just relaxing with family and friends in a beautiful setting.”

Live music by Jesse London, Sierra Marin & Roots Ascension and Ruff Diss, as well as tunes by DJ Jaguartivist, will provide entertainment throughout the day. On the education stage, the San Diego Mycological Society will discuss mushrooms and panels of environmentalist-minded experts will speak both on climate activism and protecting wildlife, among other presentations.

More than 40 food and beverage vendors will offer a huge variety of plant-based foods, drinks and desserts from a variety of cuisines spanning the globe, from Sabor Piri Piri’s Mozambican fare to House of Bao’s buns to BollyBites’ street food of India.

EarthFest is a zero-waste event and is partnering again this year with Sustainability is Sexy to implement onsite waste diversion and recycling management.

“With so many vendors, the 2024 EarthFest was a fantastic opportunity to keep waste out of San Diego landfills by implementing a zero-waste strategy,” said Liz Murphy, founder of Sustainability Is Sexy. “We were able to divert over 800 pounds of recycling and organic waste from landfills at the event last year.”

More information on vendors and the event is available at sandiegoearthfest.com and viridianproductions.com.

–City News Service