Earth Day Expo 2017 Has Historic Turnout
Earth Day Expo 2017 Presented by Dakota Rural Action, Black Hills Chapter In conjunction with the Rapid City Sustainability Committee
The 2nd annual Earth Day Expo was a popular destination last weekend! Over 750 people enjoyed the weekend events. Events kicked off Friday night, April 21st, with Dark Sky Hour at the Main Street Square in Downtown Rapid City. Saturday and Sunday the event moved to the Walter Taylor (4-H) building at the Central States Fairgrounds. On Saturday morning, the local “March for Science” started at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and ended at the Earth Day Expo at the Central States Fairgrounds.
Attendees enjoyed an “Electric Vehicle Show and Drive” outdoors. There was also a solar panel generating power to a water pump. Several food vendors were offering delicious food outside. Indoors two presentation stages featured guest speakers addressing both adults and Youth Saturday’s presentations focused on environmental topics such as climate change, renewable energy, and uranium mining. Sunday’s speakers focused on healthy living including a seed swap, affordable green housing and the many benefits of eating local foods. In the vendor room many booths represented several local organizations, local businesses, and lots of activities for the kids. Musicians Anna Robinson and Linda Boyle entertained with awesome tunes! . This event was a collaborative effort between the Black Hills Chapter of Dakota Rural Action and the Rapid City Sustainability Committee as the primary sponsors. The two organizations have worked on other events together and support like values in the world of sustainability and community development. The committee also joined forces with the Dahl Art Center/ the Rapid City Arts Council and Darks Sky International to make it a full weekend to enjoy and focus on the human impact on the Planet. Visionary Earth Day Expo organizer Kelly Moore summed up the purpose of Earth Day in just a few words: “Earth is the only place we have to live. It’s not like we can pick up and go someplace else.” 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
About 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 www.facebook.com/Rapid City Sustainability/.