It's Our Nature…
EarthFair 2012
Sunday, April 22 Earth Day!
Balboa Park • 10am - 5pm
Our annual EarthFair in Balboa Park is the largest free annual environmental fair in the world. EarthFair 2012 will be our 23rd annual event! Each year, the EarthFair draws around 60,000 visitors.
Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair features more than 350 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Kids’ Activity Area, three entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the eARTh Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse.
Exhibitors
Our exhibitors form the heart of EarthFair. They represent every type of environmental organization, governmental program and commercial enterprise with goods, services and causes that address our environment and quality of life. Our exhibitor fees are graduated to allow everyone to participate, from the smallest organization to the largest corporation.
It's impossible to list everything you'll find at EarthFair: traditional conservation organizations, wildlife preservation groups, products made from natural and organically grown crops, organic gardening information, alternative energy vehicles, ecotourism opportunities, many alternative and traditional health care products and services, pet adoption services, clean air and clean water products, rainforest preservation groups ... the list goes on and on.
If your organization, club, or company is interested in exhibiting at EarthFair, click here.
Special for Kids
In our Childrens’ Activity Area you’ll find crafts, games, face painting, storytelling, and a hands-on activities for children of all ages. Activities are intended to educate, entertain and inspire youth, in the spirit of Earth Day. This year, participants will learn to make paper, find out about recycling, make gift cards from recycled materials, and learn how to visit wild areas without disturbing the environment. Our Children’s Stage features youth-oriented performances throughout the day.
Entertainment
EarthFair will feature three stages. We’ve already mentioned the Children’s Stage, featuring music, song and storytelling aimed at the younger set. The Moon Stage (at Park and Presidents Way) will feature a variety of contemporary music by local artists. The Folk Music Stage (by the U.N. building), hosted by the San Diego Folk Music Heritage Society, will feature some of our city’s finest folk music artists.
eHome
Our eHome exhibit area showcases products and technologies that can make your home more environmentally sustainable. If you're building a new structure, or adding to an existing home, alternative home-building technologies, such as straw bale and steel-frame construction, will be of interest. Find out about energy- and resource-saving products and materials, like energy-efficient appliances and low-E windows. A wide variety of solar electric systems available now, to help you get off the grid will be shown.
eARTh Gallery
The eARTh Gallery features works by artists using recycled materials or showing depictions of "Endangered Spaces" in San Diego County. The artwork will be presented next to the Children's Area in the Pan American Plaza (close to the Auto Museum).
Are you an artist with earth-friendly art you'd like to display? Click here for more information and to sign-up online.
Food Pavilion
Tired of the nitrate-filled hot dogs and sugar-loaded sodas you usually get at large public events? Then step right up to our Food Pavilion for a change of pace. You'll find out-of-the-ordinary vegetarian fare that will make you wish it was available in the park all year long. If you are interested in being a food vendor at EarthFair, click here.
Children's Earth Parade
The Children's Earth Parade (All Species Welcome) starts at 10:30 am by the Spanish Village and marches through the Park to the Children's Area in the Pan American Plaza. Participants are invited to dress up as endangered species, present their favorite earth-friendly messages. To find out more about the Children's EarthParade, including how you can participate, click here.
Cleaner Car Concourse
The Cleaner Car Concourse features vehicles of all descriptions that all run on alternative fuels (hybrids included). This isn't just “the future”: these are vehicles being used on the road today. The vehicles will be on display in the Pan American Plaza.
Do you have a vehicle that belongs in the show? Please click here to find out about registering.
Stuff to Buy
You'll see lots of stuff to buy at EarthFair. As in previous years, non-profit organizations are free to sell goods and services to support their operations. In fact, for many of the smaller non-profits, EarthFair can be a significant source of funding for their activities. So, if you want to get some holiday gifts real early, you can make sure your money will be going to a cause you want to support.
We will also allow for-profit organizations to sell environmentally-beneficial goods and services.
Getting There
Sixty- to seventy-thousand people can create real transportation problems. If you arrive after about 10:30 am, there is often no CAR parking close to the Park.
Not to worry, though. Click here for some alternatives to keep you from being stuck behind traffic on Park Blvd. trying to get into the park to find non-existant parking spaces.
How Would You Like to Participate?
There are several ways for you to take part in EarthFair:
- As a visitor. Just show up ... it's all free. But, arrive early so you don't miss the Earth Parade, and so you have enough time -- there's a lot to see and do.
- As an exhibitor. Does your company, organization, club, or school have a product, service or cause that would be appropriate for the EarthFair? Check back here in January, 2011.
- As a volunteer. Each year, about 400 individuals just like you come out to make the EarthFair happen. Whether you'd like to help out for a few hours, take on a major accountability, or something in between, we have the job for you. Come help put on a party for 60,000 of our closest friends. Check back in January, 2011.
- As a sponsor. Our exhibitor fees only cover a part of the expenses of producing EarthFair. With recent dramatic increases in fees for city services, it would not be possible to continue producing the event without the generous support of our sponsors. Sponsorship levels are available from $500 to $50,000, and will provide excellent exposure for your company or organization. For more information, please call (858) 272-7370, or click here.
EarthWorks Earth Day 2012 Sponsors

Media Sponsors

Government Sponsors

EarthFair 2012 Exhibitors
As of February 1, 2012
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