This year marks the 25th anniversary of St. Louis Earth Day Festival, which takes place Sunday, April 27. The day’s festivities kick off at 11 a.m. on The Muny grounds near the Pagoda in Forest Park. According to Earth Day Network, St. Louis Earth Day is now ranked the second largest such celebration in the nation. Along with the festival’s traditional focus on education, art, music, crafts and food, there are a few new foodies finds we’re excited for.
1. Come to the festival a day early for Earth Day Eve. At this family-friendly evening, find food, beer and music in the Earth Day Cafe area.
2. At this year’s festival, eight Green Dining Alliance members – Atomic Cowboy, The Dam, Handlebar, Lulu’s Local Eatery, Onesto Pizza & Trattoria, Traveling Tea, Urban Eats Cafe & Bakery and Whisk: A Sustainable Bakeshop – will offer their sustainable dining choices. These restaurants have been certified “green” for their commitment to reducing, recycling and composting restaurant waste; operating facilities with efficiency; and sourcing sustainable food, to-go ware and cleaning supplies.
3. Food vendors will not use high-fructose corn syrup, highly processed foods or transfats. All serving containers, cups and utensils will be either compostable or recyclable.
4. Reusable bamboo cutlery will be available for $15, so you can “reduce your forkprint” during the festival and all summer long.
5. Schlafly will serve an organic pale ale along with its usual favorites. All of its beer will be served in a souvenir cup that is reusable and recyclable, and it can be refilled at a discount.
6. Pick up your pre-ordered rain barrels from RainReserve, just in time for the spring gardening season at the festival’s Recycling Extravaganza. This is a collection event for hard-to-recycle items, including the DEA Medication Take-Back Initiative, carpet and “anything with a cord.” Check the take-back list here.
For more information about fun events and services happening during St. Louis Earth Day (Dog washing! Bike valets! Free shuttles!), visit its website.
-photo courtesy of St. Louis Earth Day
Sauce Magazine is a sponsor of St. Louis Earth Day. Sara Graham is a Steering Committee Member of the St. Louis Green Dining Alliance.
This article appears in April 2014.