Earth Day is an event to increase public awareness of the world’s environmental problems. The following is a list of 25 ways for you to celebrate the planet.
Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival: The Sugar Sand Festival is a 17-day celebration of Clearwater Beach’s two most notable natural assets: sugar sand and sunsets. More than 14 sand sculptors use 1,000 tons of Clearwater Beach sand to create a walk-through “Sandimals: An Animal Adventure”-themed art exhibit housed in a 21,000-square-foot structure. Free activities include a children’s play area, street performers, artisans, live entertainment, fireworks, sand-sculpting classes and the master sand-sculpting competition. Free; $12, 3 and younger free (walk-through). 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 8-24. 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. 727-403-0517.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DLQHTODYUVDVPAVSSPZHSLJYVE.jpg "Sculptures in the Sugar Sand Festival represent animals in honor of Earth Day.")
Earth, Wind, and Garden Festival: Celebrate Earth Day at this festival with plant sales, artisan vendors, handcrafted goods, music, food trucks, workshops, children’s activities and garden tours. Free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 9. HCC Plant City, 2001 E Cherry St., Plant City. 813-435-8111.
Eco-Egg Hunt: Children and children at heart form teams and have 60 minutes to collect as many air potatoes as they can. The team that collects the most “eco-eggs” wins a prize. Also, pictures with the bunny, crafts, games and refreshments. Free. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 9. Folly Farm Nature Preserve, 1562 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N, Safety Harbor. 727-724-1530.
Earth As Art: Children ages 3 to 10 can explore the beauty of the West and celebrate Earth Day while learning about natural resources and how to mix natural pigments for painting. Included with admission; free for members 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. April 9. The James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-892-4200.
Celebrate Earth Day Film: If you miss traveling, celebrate Earth Day as you watch this film and travel virtually to the Top 25 Wonders of the World. Free. 6-7 p.m. April 11. Empath Partners in Care, 3050 First Ave. S, St. Petersburg. 727-415-3287.
Earth Day: Trash and Treasures: Join park staff and volunteers and make treasures out of yesterday’s trash. Paper making, quilling, card boxes and more. $5 plus park admission. 10 a.m.-noon April 13. Dade Battlefield Historic State Park, 7200 County Road 603, Bushnell. 352-793-4781.
Return the Preserve Work Day: Join the Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve to clean up exotic invasive vegetation. Free. 8-11:30 a.m. April 16. The Friends Trail, 3620 Fletch Haven Drive, Tarpon Springs. 727-453-6800.
Earth Day at Florida Botanical Gardens: Celebrate Earth Day with virtual and in-person activities including self-guided scavenger hunts, mobile app games and instructor-led events. Free (registration recommended). 9 a.m.-noon April 22. Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo. 727-582-2117.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/MM5ST76AWFAT3CHHZIYIWENSUM.JPG "Planning your weekend?")
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Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival Earth Day Clean Up: Join Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, the City of Clearwater, Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, Ocean Allies and Amplify Clearwater for an Earth Day cleanup at Clearwater Beach. The first 150 volunteers get an eco-friendly gift. Stick around after the cleanup for live music by The Black Honkeys starting at 7:30 p.m. Free. 4-7 p.m. April 22. Pier 60, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. 727-533-0402.
Earth Day Trash Cleanup: Meet at Kava Culture and walk to Curtis Hixon Park to clean up the Riverwalk. Free. 5-7 p.m. April 22. 514 N Franklin St., Tampa. 813-999-1179.
Earth Day Planter Party: Use items from the earth to paint a pottery planter. Pikasso staff will plant succulents in your finished planter. $26. 5:30-7 p.m. April 22. Practically Pikasso, 1912 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-822-5204.
Earth Day Cookie Giveaway: Simply Vegan Eats will distribute free vegan cookies and literature on how going vegan helps the health of our planet. Free. 6-8 p.m. April 22. The St. Pete Pier approach, 600 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg.
Earth Night Celebration: Join author Randy Wayne White for an evening of storytelling about the wonders of Florida’s Gulf Coast. Enjoy craft cocktails, rum tasting, cuisine by Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille and a waterfront meet and greet. $75. 6-8 p.m. April 22. Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, 700 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-867-8166.
Earth Day Celebration: The third annual celebration features speakers and presentations from leading experts in environmental, gardening and conscious living services and products. Also, there will be organic gardening presentations, environmental health information, a plant sale, plant-based food information, a drum circle, a mind-body class, belly dance performance and music. Free. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 23. WellCome OM Integral Healing and Education Center, 4242 Lake in the Woods Drive, Spring Hill. 352-600-4242.
Honoring Earth Day: Join the Publix team for a Riverwalk cleanup. Everything you need will be supplied. Free. 9 a.m.-noon April 23. Publix Greenwise Market Water Street, 555 Channelside Drive, Tampa. 813-221-4121.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7CDTCT5SRVCRHOVW533L6TLMFI.JPG "Shredded garbage is removed from wastewater at the South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Facility in St. Petersburg.")
Make an Impact on Earth Day: Shred your old paper documents on Earth Day and $1 for every pound shredded will be donated to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful and the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay. The event also includes live music, food trucks and a floral design truck. Free. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 23. Darwin Wealth Management, 4601 W North A St., Tampa. 813-579-4074.
Earth Day: Rain Water Harvesting: This workshop explains the purpose, benefits and function of rain barrels for rain water collection. Learn how to install and use a rain barrel. $50. 10-11 a.m. April 23. Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Shady Hills. 727-861-3038.
Earth Day Mangrove Cleanup: Use a standup paddleboard or kayak and join Urban Kai to clean up mangrove areas around Gandy Beach. A limited number of boards and kayaks will be available for rent. Free. 10 a.m.-noon April 23. Urban Kai, 13090 Gandy Blvd., St. Petersburg. 813-598-1634.
Earth Day at Moccasin Lake Nature Park: Earth centered presentations, children’s arts and crafts, music, vendors and food. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 23. Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater. 727-793-2976.
EcoFest: This celebration of Earth Day includes live music, workshops, demonstrations, informational booths, green living products and services, local artists, green businesses, environmental organizations, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists and organic farmers. Free. 10 a.m. April 23. Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-948-4190.
Treasure the Island Day: The community appreciation day and Earth Day celebration includes DJ dancing, games, demonstrations and Earth Day activities. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 23. Treasure Island Community Park, 154 106th Ave., Treasure Island. 727-547-4575.
Earth Day: Compost Happens: This composting workshop explains the benefits and dos/don’ts of composting at home. Paid registrants take home a compost bin. $35 (composter fee). Noon-1 p.m. April 23. Crews Lake Wilderness Park, 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Shady Hills. 727-861-3038.
Earth Day New Port Richey: Join library staff and environmental committee chairperson Dell deChant to discuss New Port Richey’s initiatives to create a better world. Free. Noon April 23. New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St. 727-853-1279.
Earth Day Concert: Tribal Burn joins with Hip Expressions Belly Dance and special guest Amy Sigil for a concert saluting our planet. 8 p.m. April 23. Sacred Lands, 1700 Park St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-347-0354.
Earth Day Pop Up Market: The second annual market features Earth-conscious food, art, vendors and a raffle. Free. 4-9 p.m. April 30. Muddy Water Kava and Tea, 6111 10th St. N, St. Petersburg. 727-520-0720.
