The 14th Annual Tucson Day Festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2008 at a new location in Reid Park. The Festival begins at 9:00 a.m. and the Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. This year we are merging the Earth Day Festival and the Clean Air Fair into one great Earth Day event! Celebrating this merger, the theme this year is “All Species Need Clean Air!”

The event features environmentally themed exhibits, music, performances, and food vendors. There will also be art contests and recycling collections. Admission is free, and all exhibits include hands-on environmental activities for children.

All Species Procession, New this Year-
All species great and small-insects, plants and animals-the Earth needs them all! Dress up and participate in the “All Species Procession” as part of the Earth Day Parade! Make a banner and tell us how your species is so important to Planet Earth. Are you helping clean the air (trees and plants)? Are you endangered or threatened species…the ice may be melting your home (global warming) or maybe there hasn’t been rain in a while so you are affected by drought or the threat of fire… let us know what we should do to help protect or save your species!

New Parade Category
It has always been a requirement that all floats be non-motorized, or alternatively powered (solar, electric, propane or natural gas are a few options) each entry reflects an environmental theme. This year, we have added a new category – Alternate Fuel Vehicles! Decorate you hybrid or biodiesel vehicle and join the parade.

Solar Race Car Competition
Model Solar Electric Cars and Houses, designed and constructed by middle school students, are real world engineering projects. The kits contain solar cells, motors, batteries, lights and other optional parts. The design and the construction is “left to the ingenuity of the student”! For a kit order form and information on how to enter: www.swe.org/regionB/b007/solar.html

Clean Air Auto Show- Check out vehicles that run on alternative fuels such as biodiesel, compressed natural gas, electric, ethanol, propane and waste vegetable oil. Ask the experts how you can start using a cleaner fuel in your vehicle to keep the air clean for all species.

Clean Air Days, April 1 - 30, 2008
Contests, bike rides, history presentation, plus more will take place at the annual celebration.  The Clean Air Days highlights bicycling, walking, carpooling, taking the bus, using an alternative fuel and more for healthier air and less traffic congestion. The Clean Air Contest kicks off on April 1 and Walk 'N Roll to School Day is on April 4. The Sun Tran Free Ride Day is on April 6th.The Bike to Zoo Day is on April 19 (same day as the Earth Day Festival). For details, click on www.cleanair.pima.gov or call 740-3947.

Bike to the Zoo-
Animals love the earth and need clean air too! So, ride your bike to the Reid Park Zoo and get FREE admission by showing your safety helmet. Before or after visiting the zoo, ride over to the Earth Day Festival for more fun!

For more information on the Tucson Earth Day Festival please call 207-7183 or email childrensearthdaytucson@yahoo.com.