Earth Day is Friday, April 22, and events have bloomed all around Montgomery County. Whether residents prefer virtual or in-person activities, family-friendly festivals, or more service-oriented endeavors, there is an event for everyone to enjoy.
Fun for the Whole Family
- Outdoor Family Storytime: No registration necessary! Davis Library in Bethesda welcomes families to join its staff for an outdoor storytime, which will feature songs, books, and rhymes that promote early literacy skills. Families are asked to bring a blanket or towel to sit on. The event is weather permitting. 10:30 – 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 22
- Artists on Market: Crown Park in Gaithersburg invites families to participate in hands-on springtime activities, from learning about Monarch butterflies, to enjoying a storytime by local author Laurie J. Hartman. A book signing will take place afterwards. Local artisans at Artists on Market will also be showcasing works, which will be available for purchase. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23
- GreenFest: Brookside Gardens presents one of the county’s largest Earth Day festivals, with free entry. Highlights of the festival include face painting and children’s activities, an interactive musical petting zoo, kids’ tree climbing, plant and tree giveaways, a green arts and crafts fair, children’s yoga, an electric vehicle show, and more. Over 60 exhibitors will be on site, featuring environmental nonprofits. Plenty of food trucks will be available, equipped with vegan options. Free parking and shuttle service to the event from Glenmont Metro Station will be provided. More information can be found online, or by searching social media under the hashtag #MCGreenFest. 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23
- Earth Day Market at True Respite: Rockville-based True Respite Brewing Company is putting on an Earth Day Market to introduce the community to local resources and vendors who support the environment in sustainable ways. Leading up to the event, Terrapin Bicycles will lead an intermediate bike ride around Lake Needwood, starting at True Respite, at 11:00 a.m. Minor bike repairs will be conducted by the Terrapin team. At the market, Grasso Brothers Duo will play live music 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Boombas Kitchen and Salat Middle Eastern Comfort Foods will be on site also. 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., Saturday, April 23
- Earth Day Open House: The Celebree School of Rockville is hosting an open house at the school’s playground. Activities include planting and recycling, arts and crafts, STEAM games, vendors, and a tour of the brand new school building. Special offers will be given to families who enroll during the event. Attendees are asked to RSVP online. 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 30
Service
- Planting with the Police: Montgomery County Police Department’s Officer Beard leads other officers in a free indoor container gardening event at Westfield Wheaton mall. Meet Officer Beard at the Play Area on the Lower Level for crafts, giveaways, and sweet treats. 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Friday, April 22
- Earth Day Neighborhood Clean-Up: South Four Corners community leaders look to give back to the neighborhood by inviting friends and family to help clean up the streets in the neighborhood’s first annual Earth Day event. Clean-up may take place at participants’ leisure over Earth Day weekend, but the main window will coincide with a visit from Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center. A portion of the event’s ice cream sales will be donated directly to Conservation Montgomery. Participants can sign up for cleaning supplies online.
Virtual Events
- Carpe Diem! Arts Celebration: Carpe Diem! Arts invites residents to join in an online celebration of songs inspired by Earth Day and Environmental Awareness Month, Arab American Heritage, Deaf Awareness Month, and Jazz Appreciation Month. The event will be hosted on Zoom, and also streamed via Facebook Live. 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21
- Earth Day Webinar: The Environmental Law Institute invites participants to join its webinar, with panelists focusing on community environmental work. Attendees are asked to RSVP online. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 22
