YOSEMITE — Yosemite National Park is hosting a special Earth Day Festival on Saturday, Apr. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in front of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, and two special evening activities hosted by REI. The public is encouraged to attend the Festival this year which honors the Centennial of the National Park Service.
Park admission is free because of National Park Week and all activities at the Earth Day Festival are free of charge.
There will be an Earth Day Stage in front of the Valley Visitor Center which will be where living history demonstrations, activities, games, and interpretive walks will be conducted, along with booths and activities throughout Yosemite Village.
Park partners in attendance will include Yosemite Conservancy, Naturbridge and the U.S. Forest Service. A historic ceremony will be conducted at 2 p.m. on the Earth Day Stage which will include a presentation to Yosemite Conservancy and the California State Park Ranger 150th Anniversary commemoration.
National Park Service Centennial partner REI is hosting two evening events, and while pre-registration is not required, space is limited.
The first event is Friday, Apr. 22, from 8:30 to 10 p.m., and is a 90-minute Full Moon Photography Hike where REI’s professional photographers will be demonstrating tips on taking amazing photos during late evening hours in Yosemite Valley. This is limited to the first 25 people who sign up.
The second event is Saturday Apr. 23, from 8 to 9:30 p.m., dubbed “Campfire Dessert: S’mores’ and Beyond.” Please meet at the campfire ring in front of the Yosemite Valley Museum.
With the new Zero Landfill Initiative supported by the Park, Yosemite National Park is starting to increase efforts in environmental sustainability by diverting more recyclable waste from our local landfill. In other words, Yosemite Earth Day Festival will be a Zero Landfill Event. Guests, bring your refillable water bottles, bring in less packaging by repackaging snacks and food at home, and when disposing of waste, and please use the correct waste or recycle bins provided.
For more information and a description of all events, please visit www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/guide.htm and click on the current “Yosemite Guide” link for “April 6, 2016 – May 17, 2016” or call (209) 372-0200.
For information on the NPS Centennial, please visit www.FindYourPark.com.
