Join Us for Earth Day Expo 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2017
Contact: Kelly Moore, Planning Committee Chair 605.381.3123 - moorekl@live.com
Earth Day Expo 2017
Presented by Dakota Rural Action, Black Hills Chapter
In conjunction with the Rapid City Sustainability Committee
The public is invited to attend the 2nd Annual Earth Day Expo 2017. The event starts Friday April 21st, with Dark Sky Hour at the Main Street Square in Downtown Rapid City from 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Saturday and Sunday the event moves to the Walter Taylor (4-H) building, 601 East Centre St. at the Central States Fairgrounds, with both days of the Expo open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. On Saturday at 6:30 PM and Sunday at 3:30 PM, the event moves to the Elks Theater to enjoy the Banff Mountain Film Festival hosted by the Rapid City Arts Council. Saturday morning there will also be a “March for Science” starting at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, at 9:00 AM and end at the Earth Day Expo around 10:30 AM.
Earth Day Expo is one of thousands being held around the world. This event will include an “Electric Vehicle Show and Drive” believed to be one of the largest gathering of new Electric Vehicles in South Dakota. There will be two presentation stages, one for adults and the second for youth, will feature guest speakers as well as booths for several local organizations and many activities for youth.
Earth Day was started in 1970 when 20 million people gathered in the streets and on college campuses of the U.S. to protect environmental and human health. An environmental movement was born as a result. Every year on Earth Day, men, women, and children collect garbage, plant trees, show movies, sign petitions, and plan for a better future for our planet. Here in Rapid City we have long celebrated Earth Day with the “City Wide Clean Up Week” and other events promoted by the City of Rapid City.
Throughout the world, the International organization “Earth Day Network” has a main theme, Climate Change and the Environment. Here in the Black Hills, Dakota Rural Action and other non-profits have a second theme, Healthy Living through Quality, Locally Grown Foods. As it was last year, our main focus of the Earth Day Expo is on the youth of our community as they are our future.
This event has been a collaborative effort between the Black Hills Chapter of Dakota Rural Action and the Rapid City Sustainability Committee. The two organizations have worked on other events together and support like values in the world of sustainability and community development.
https://www.facebook.com/2nd-Annual-Earth-Day-Expo-246799732410497 https://www.facebook.com/events/1272309026180920/
AGENDA:
Friday night, April 21st
8:00 to 9:30 PM - Dark Sky Hour at Main Street Square, downtown Rapid City
Saturday, April 22nd
9:00 AM to 10:30 AM - March for Science starting at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and ending at 4-H building, Central States Fairgrounds
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Earth Day Expo at the 4-H Building, Central States Fairgrounds
10:00 AM Opening Ceremonies
Two presentation stages with the focus on the environment and climate change
Display booths with groups from 4-H to non-profit environmental
Electric Vehicle Show and Drive: car dealers show off their latest models of electric and hybrid cars with most available for test drive
6:30 PM - Banff Mountain Film Festival at the Elks Theater, hosted by the Rapid City Arts Council
Sunday, April 23rd
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM - Earth Day Expo at the 4-H Building, Central States Fairgrounds
Two presentation stages with the focus on healthy living
Display booths with groups ranging from 4-H to non-profit environmental
Electric Vehicle Show and Drive, car dealers show off their latest models of electric and hybrid cars with most available for test drive
3:30 PM - Banff Mountain Film Festival at the Elks Theater, hosted by the Rapid City Arts Council
The Black Hills Chapter of Dakota Rural Action:
Founded in January 1987, Dakota Rural Action is a grassroots family agriculture and conservation group that organizes South Dakotans to protect our family farmers and ranchers, natural resources, and unique way of life. The Black Hills Chapter was established in 2011 and covers the greater Black Hills area. It is one of five different chapters across the state of South Dakota. Our potluck meetings are the second Tuesday of the month, at 6:00PM around the Black Hills with Rapid City as its base. http://www.dakotaruralblackhills.org, www.facebook.com/DakotaRuralActionBHC
The Rapid City Sustainability Committee:
The purpose of the Rapid City Standing Committee on Sustainability is to encourage education, stewardship and policy leadership that will make our community a leader in economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Meetings are open to the public at 5:30 on the second and fourth Monday of every month in the Community Room in the City Administration building. More information including award applications is available at: www.rcgov.org/Community-Resources/sustainability-committee.html, https://www.facebook.com/RapidCitySustainability