Mid-spring can be an interesting time for outdoor events in East Idaho. Some days can be a siren’s song of summer. Other days can be a throwback to Old Man Winter. Either way, it’s a time of year that gets us thinking about the environment and our place in it. Appropriate to the season, Tautphaus Park is transformed each April into a small-town celebration of music, contests, food and displays for Earth Day. The occasion brings residents and visitors together to learn what we can do differently and how we can give of our time, efforts and attitudes to make a make our city and corner of the world a little bit greener.
The event also serves as an environmental education fair, where you can bring your family and learn what it means to be green in eastern Idaho. A typical year brings nearly 100 presenters and vendors, and approximately 6,000 or more attendees. Idaho Falls city departments, local, state, and federal agencies, and private businesses, clubs and groups explain how to reduce, reuse, and recycle and provide the opportunity to learn by doing.
Enjoy free healthy snacks, a free bike safety course lead by the Idaho Falls Police Department, a bike parade, skateboard competition, free kids’ crafts and—new for 2015—an alternative-fuels car show. Spaces for the vendors and presenters are free, as is a raffle of items donated by local businesses.
Earth Day is also the first big day for the Idaho Falls Tautphaus Park Zoo. During the event, the zoo offers an opportunity to learn more about the amazing animals that can be found at the zoo and how they stand as ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild.
Idaho Falls Earth Day is an outreach led by the Eastern Idaho Environmental Education Association, a non-profit organization to promote environmental education and conservation efforts in Eastern Idaho. EIEEA sponsored projects also include Idaho Falls Water Festival, the Ask A Scientist/Meet a Scientist programs, The Green Your Classroom educational grants, and the Excellence in Environmental Education and Outreach awards.
For more details, visit www.ifearthday.com.