One of the Nation’s Largest Earth Day 2014 Celebrations Moving to Downtown Rochester Streets

The 9th annual MI Earth Day Fest is moving to Rochester’s downtown streets this year. Taking place April 25-27, it’s one of the planet’s largest Earth Day celebrations. Organizers are planning for more than 50,000 to attend the free weekend-long event.

Showcasing the green and healthy-living efforts and offerings of area businesses and community groups, the MI Earth Day Fest features more than 150 exhibits, displays and presentations as well as entertainment, awards, recycling drop-off, food and family fun. The event aims to highlight environmental and wellness issues and solutions through education, innovative product and service offerings and community building.

The MI Earth Day Fest takes place at Walnut Blvd. and Fourth St. starting at 4 p.m. Friday, April 25 and ending at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 27.

“It’s the biggest Earth Day celebration around,” says event manager John Batdorf of presenting organization MI Green Team. “We’re excited to move from a grass lot to the downtown streets for better access and parking, and a lot less mud – more celebrating the Earth, and less getting it in your shoes.”

All events are free and open to the public.

Some highlights:

• Awards Ceremony, 7-8 p.m. Friday: 2014 MI Green Hall of Fame awards and My Green School Art Contest winners, in conjunction with the U.S. Green Building Council Detroit Chapter;
• Entertainment featuring American Idol Hollywood Week contestant Abbie Lane, 6 p.m. Friday; Pep Rally, 11 a.m. and Earth Day Talent Showcase, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, emceed by 100.3 WNIC’s Doni Flynn; Radio Disney kids’ performance, 3 p.m. Sunday; and many other acts;
• Presentations: A town hall meeting on fracking with Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash, 6:30 p.m. Friday; cardiologist and author of “The Holistic Heart Book” Joel Kahn M.D., 2 p.m. Saturday; and other thought-provoking presentations, plus health screenings, networking and community-building roundtables in the Connect Café;
• Exhibits: Displays of vehicles and renewable energy systems; home improvement, gardening, apparel, food, farm and other eco-friendly and healthy offerings; great show specials and free samples;
• Recycling: Used  electronics, clothing, shoes and other items can be dropped off on Walnut just south of University;
• Food Trucks: Shimmy Shack, metro Detroit’s only all-vegan food truck; plus Different Twist mobile pretzel bakery, Time2Chill Detroit Gelato and other tasty offerings will be on site;
• Fun for Kids: Crafts, climbing tower, pep rally, Radio Disney performance, Disney Junior “Doc McStuffins Toy Check-Up” and a full schedule of kids' activities.

"There’s a reason Earth Day is the world’s largest secular celebration, and that’s because everyone can do something to help solve today’s environmental problems,” says Batdorf. “This event aims to entertain, educate and celebrate how we can work together to make every day Earth Day.”

For directions, schedules, lists of participants and to exhibit or sponsor, visit www.miEDF.com.