St. Louis Earth Day Festival returns to Forest Park April 27 and 28

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Celebrate Earth Day at a one-of-a-kind festival on The Muny grounds in Forest Park April 27 to 28. Music, activities and plenty of food and drink will be on hand and presented with care toward sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Whether you’re looking for knowledge, inspiration or just good food and good times, the Earth Day Festival is where you want to be. Fun activities teaching and promoting sustainability will be taking place at booths around the festival. Bring your kids and your dog, and you’ll be sure to have a great time.

Jen Myerscough, executive director of Earthday-365, described the process by which many of the festival’s sustainability-related activities came about at the festival. “Some vendors create activities to draw people to their booths ... we only urge to not make this activity wasteful, and many of the activities teach these principles [of sustainability].”

In past years festivalgoers have been able to plant seeds, build a personal DIY bee house and lend a hand in creating an upcycled jump rope.

The festival promises an extraordinary food experience. All food vendor restaurants and trucks are Green Dining Alliance (GDA) members and are asked to provide at least one vegetarian or vegan food item. Extra emphasis is placed on using as many local and organic ingredients as possible. Locally sourced highlights on the menu include chicken sliders from Salt + Smoke and tacos from Seed Sprout Spoon, available with smoked pork and spicy kimchi slaw or sweet potatoes, Missouri black beans and a smoky vegan aioli.

The Sauce Magazine Beer Garden will host Urban Chestnut Brewing Co., Schlafly, 4 Hands Brewing Co. and Perennial Artisan Ales, each of which is also a GDA member. A signature Earthday-365 pint glass will be on sale at the festival, which will come with a free pour at the festival and special drink deals throughout May at GDA breweries and some participating bars.

Myerscough said the true value of the festival is in the community.

“I think my favorite part of the festival isn’t really any of the tangible stuff, but the reunion aspect of it,” she said. “All of these groups who work all year on recycling and renewables, and all the people who work on their different missions all year, get to come and reconnect with each other.”

Music will blast from the Earth Day stage for the better part of the full two days, with a lineup filled with local artists playing original music, including Tonina, recognized as an NPR Slingshot Best New Artist in 2018.

Participation starts before you arrive. Don’t forget to bring your own refillable water bottle and a reusable bag for taking home any goodies you can’t do without. 

James Boeckmann is an editorial intern at Sauce Magazine.

Sauce Magazine is a sponsor of St. Louis Earth Day Festival.