VOTE EARTH Artwork by Jennifer Hewitson

 EarthFair 2008
Sunday, April 20
Balboa Park
10am - 5pm

    Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair features more than 200 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Kids’ Activity Area, five entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade (All Species Welcome) and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Parade and Show.

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, please 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 indended 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 five stages. We’ve already mentioned the Children’s Stage, featuring music, song and storytelling aimed at the younger set. The Sun Stage (behind the Federal Building), and 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. Finally, the Magic Stage, in front of the Lily Pond along El Prado, will host the “Wizard of Water” show: magic, music and dance all wrapped around water education.

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).

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.

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, please 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? Call (858) 272-7370 for more information.

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

    For general information about getting to Balboa Park, visit www.balboapark.org/nav.html.

    Sixty-thousand people can create real transportation problems. If you arrive after about 10:30 am, there is often no parking immediately adjacent to the Park.    Not to worry though ... we have some suggestions that can help take the frustration out of getting there:

Ride a Bike

• There is free, guarded bike parking available in two locations:
  
  
  • On Village Place (off of Park Blvd., south of the Zoo) behind the Natural History Museum
  • In front of the Museum of Man, just over the Laurel St. bridge.
    
    
• If you don't want to ride the entire way to the park, drive part way, park in a convenient spot, and ride the rest of the way.

Ride Public Transportation

There is a trolley stop about a 10 minute walk from the Park.

• Ride any Blue or Orange Trolley Line to the Trolley's City College Station in downtown San Diego. The Station is located between 11th Avenue and Park Blvd. and C Street and Broadway.
   
  The Route 7 bus stop is just steps away at the corner of 11th Avenue and C Street where you can board a special Route 7 Shuttle operating every 15 minutes to Balboa Park.
   
  Remember to get a Day Pass when you start your trip on the Trolley. And on Sundays, two children (12 and under) ride free with each adult (18 and older) who pays a regular fare with cash or pass. To plan your trip visit www.sdmts.com.
  
  
• To arrive on the west side of the park, take Routes 3, 120 or 11.
  
  
• For complete information on bus and trolley service, please visit sdcommute.com.
  
  
• Or, you can take the free shuttle service. From the trolley stop on Park Blvd., cross to the east side of Park and walk up to Russ. The trolley stop is close to the corner of Russ and Park.
  
  
• And remember, riding MTS Buses and Trolleys make every day "EARTH DAY." When you take transit instead of driving a car you reduce greenhouse gasses, slow global warming and improve our air quality. Saving just one gallon of gas can eliminate 19 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. 

Use the Free Shuttle Service

• If you drive and plan to arrive after 11 am, don't drive directly to the Park. A free shuttle service will take you between the Fair and our off-site parking location at City College.
  
  
  • From the 163 freeway exit follow the signs. From Park Blvd., you will turn on Russ. Go to the end and turn right. You can park in the lots opposite Garfield Jr. High School; the shuttle stop is marked with a sign. The shuttle runs from 10:30 am to 6 pm.

Handicapped Parking

• There will be extra handicapped parking spaces reserved in the Organ Pavilion parking lot, off Presidents Way. The police will allow cars with handicapped parking permits into this lot as long as spaces are available.

How Would You Like to Participate?

    There are several ways for you to take part in EarthFair 2004:

• 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? Click here for more information.
• 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. See our Volunteer Page for more information.
• As a performer. If you have a band that would like to play at EarthFair, or have an act that would be appropriate for the Children's Stage, send us a demo tape. But act fast ... time slots on the stages fill up quickly.
• 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.

EarthFair 2008 Exhibitors
As of 4/13/2008. Updated weekly.