Grand Junction Earth day Events

Earth Day, Arbor Day events planned

Plant a tree, save a world ... or at least make it a greener, more leafy place.

Earth Day (http://www.earthday.org) is April 22, and Arbor Day is April 29 (http://www.arborday.org). In the Grand Valley, a number of celebrations are planned to commemorate the two events.

Get an early start on Arbor Day with events from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 16, at the Fruita Community Center, 324 N. Coulson St.

This Arbor Day celebration will feature a student poster/art contest, adult art contest, demonstrations, tree planting, children’s activities, and tree giveaways.

Call 858-0360 for information.

The 10th annual SouthWest ArborFest will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Lincoln Park.

Events will include a chili competition, arts, crafts, entertainment, touch-a-truck, food, experts answering tree and gardening questions and free tree seedlings while supplies last.

Call 254-3866 for information.

Earth Day at the Botanical Gardens will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens, 641 Struthers Ave.

Begin the day with a Community Exercise Expo with local fitness groups and circuit training from 8–9:30 a.m. Bring the kids for a separate workout designed just for them.

A Riverfront Trail bike ride will be from 9:30–10:30 a.m., and kids are encouraged to decorate their bikes.

A concert from 5–11 p.m. will feature four acts: Dem Bones, Jack + Jill, Lil Sum’n Sum’n and Atonga Groove Alliance.

Tickets for the Earth Day events are $1 per person (free with evening concert ticket).

The evening concert ticket for a family of four is $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. For families with more than four members, add $2 per person. Individual concert tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate.

Tickets can be purchased at Alpine Banks, the Botanical Gardens, and Ecofly Solar, 2526 Broadway.

Go to http://www.gjearthday.com/ or call 257-7408 to learn about the day’s activities.

A puppet show titled “Every Day is Earth Day” is planned at Mesa County Libraries’ Central Library.

Shows will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 20; 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 26; 10 a.m. Thursday, April 28; and 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Central Library, 530 Grand Ave.

Call 243-4442 or go to http://www.mesacountylibraries.org for information.