Earth Day Festivals don’t just happen in April anymore. This weekend, the second annual Venice Eco-Fest is expected to attract more than 20,000 people to Venice Beach, Calif. The green-themed free music and arts festival, put together by the Venice Chamber of Commerce and Earth Day LA, features a solar-powered sound stage with bands, speakers and belly dancers, 150+ exhibitors and a cooperative community art exhibit.

 

When: Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Where: Venice Beach Plaza and Recreation area at the end of Windward Ave., Venice.

 

This year, the Eco-Fest’s theme is green travel, all fossil-fuel-free. Foodies will want to journey straight over to the international vegetarian food court, after a layover at the Fat Tire Beer Garden. Afterwards, attendees can listen to speakers and watch performers on the solar-powered stage, or simply mingle with all the other eco-curious neighbors at the fest.

 

At 12:30 p.m., a “One Planet” Parade will begin its march, with Anjelica Huston and L.A. City Councilman Bill Rosendahl serving as grand marshals. Fellow paraders include the Jane Goodall “Roots and Shoots” Giant Peace Doves, Heal the Bay Aquarium children’s group in recyclable costumes, and many more organizations, performance groups and activists.

 

Really want to get into the green travel theme? Join “The C.I.C.L.E. Goes to the Beach Ride” with your bicycle and “pedal along the byways and waterways that makes Venice such a unique community.” Meet at the parking lot of Danny’s Deli at 23 Windward Ave, Venice Beach, at 11 a.m. to start riding at 11:30 a.m.

 

Photo courtesy of Venice Eco-Fest