Chelan Earth Day Fair celebrates 36th year with focus on nature, sustainability

CHELAN — Community members gathered at Riverwalk Park in downtown Chelan on Saturday, April 19, to celebrate the 36th annual Chelan Earth Day Fair. This year’s theme, "Celebrate Nature," brought families, organizations, and vendors together to promote environmental awareness and sustainable living.

The fair featured a wide variety of activities, including live entertainment, children’s events, educational displays, electric car exhibits, a book sale, and plant sales. Food vendors, artisans offering jewelry and handmade goods, and representatives from multiple environmental organizations were present.

At the Waste Station, visitors and vendors were encouraged to sort items for disposal into specific categories: Trash Only (Landfill), Compost, Recyclable Items, Liquid, and Glass.

Ann Congdon of the Lake Chelan Research Institute/Keep It Blue spoke with attendees about the science of Lake Chelan. The nonprofit group’s booth offered information about protecting the lake’s water quality and ongoing conservation efforts.

The Lake Chelan School District’s Green Machine was among several food vendors serving attendees throughout the day.

Entertainment was also a major feature of the event. The Kevin Jones Band performed during the afternoon, energizing the crowd and getting people "dancing and moving their feet during their set at the fair."

Local organizations, including the U.S. Forest Service, Chelan Fire & Rescue, Lake Chelan EMS, the Washington State Department of Ecology, Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center, Landscape Conservation, Chelan Douglas Land Trust, and Cascade Conservation District, provided information and resources focused on sustainability, conservation, and public safety.

For more information about the event and recycling resources, organizers encouraged visitors to go to chelanearthdayfair.org.