Earth Day 2003 was celebrated at Sacramento State on Saturday with over 150 exhibitors, and a variety of speakers, musicians, dancers and merchants from all over the world.

 

The event started in 1999, and originally drew about 4,000 people, the Earth Day coordinator, Kathy Reis, said. This year, between 8,000-10,000 people gathered for the festivities throughout the day. Officially, Earth Day is on April 22, but the event was held on Saturday for convenience reasons, Reis said.

 

“Earth Day is all about empowerment,” Reis said. Its main purpose is to show that every single choice that you make matters, she said.

 

Many attendees came with their dogs decorated in tie-dye hats and showed off their animals wearing outfits that belonged to their owners.

 

Wildlife educators captivated children with endangered wolves from the wild and live shows with exotic creatures such as alligators and snakes, among others.

 

Some people just relaxed on the grass and listened to the blends of conga drums and transcendental rock that had many rocking back and forth and dancing in circles. Exotic samba dancers, belly dancers and Capueria martial artists entertained crowds while musicians played their grooves on instruments from all over the world.

 

The band Conga Aye Yea played on the main stage. They have attended every annual Earth Day festival since its inception. Bob Scarlett of Nevada City leads the band, and the other 15 members are Sacramento locals.

 

Keynote speaker Julia Butterfly Hill entertained a crowd with her awareness of sustainable living and deforestation. She lived in a tree for two years to make a statement to society, which left many people in disbelief.

 

Exhibitors and environmentalists advocated energy conservation and fuel cell technology, protection of endangered wildlife, green peace, recycling of water and land resources, and promoted naturopathic health and organic food products.

 

“Don’t bite the land that feeds you,” representatives of Co-op Community Learning Center shouted to people walking by.

 

Political activists promoted medicinal marijuana legalization and opposed military defense and depletion of rainforest resources for landfills and oil.

 

Massage therapists and shamans provided services such as sound healing and chakra balancing between the body and the mind.

 

Hamburger and hot dog vendors did have quite long lines, given the nature of the event. The flyers also advertised “healthy vegetarian” food.

 

“(Earth Day is) celebrated as a national and an international effort,” Reis said, adding that 184 countries recognize Earth Day.

 

This year, people focused more on the environment, Reis said.

 

“The environment is one thing, but the second thing is to focus on each other,” Reis said. This year exhibitors were talking to individuals about their personal and individual goals for the preservation of the earth.

 

Earth Day 2003 was sponsored in part by ASI, the City of Sacramento, Capital Public Radio, SMUD, Sacramento News and Review, Regional Transit, Sacramento Stormwater Management Program, Eagle 96.9, Sunset.net Internet Solutions, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, KVMR 89.5 radio station, Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency and Zap Creative Group.

 

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