Spring has sprung! This April, there are plenty of festivals, town cleanups and green activities in New Jersey—we are the Garden State, after all.
Sustainable Cherry Hill Earth Festival
April 29; 10 am-2 pm
Croft Farm
This eighth annual celebration draws more than 5,000 people each year. Start your day with a two- or nine-mile Family Fun Bike Ride at 8 am. Experience more than 100 earth-friendly vendors, two entertainment stages and healthy food choices.
Hudson County Improvement Authority’s Annual Earth Day Celebration
April 22; 11 am-4 pm
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
HCIA’s annual Earth Day 5K/Run/Walk along the Hudson River waterfront starts at 10 am. Then, have some fun with crafts, inflatable rides and kite flying. Receive a free sapling to plant at home.
Secaucus Town-Wide Earth Day Cleanup
April 22; 10 am-2 pm
Mill Creek Marsh (behind Bob’s Discount Furniture)
Pitch in at this inaugural town-wide cleanup. The city will provide bags, gloves and snacks to participants.
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority Earth Day Festival is a fun-filled day. Courtesy of ACUA
Atlantic County Utilities Authority Earth Day Festival
April 23; 10 am-4 pm
Haneman Environmental Park, Egg Harbor Township
Run through bursts of colored cornstarch powder at the Colors of the Earth 5K. Participate in mini yoga sessions, get a free seedling and observe raptors and reptiles from the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge. Head to the amphitheater for free workshops on conserving water, the importance of honey bees and therapeutic uses of common weeds.
Earth Day Celebration at ECEC
April 29; 11 am-4 pm
Essex County Environmental Center
Celebrate nature at this outdoor festival in West Essex Park on the banks of the Passaic River with crafts, games and recreational activities, like canoeing and hiking.
Rancocas Nature Center Earth Day
April 30; Noon-4 pm
Rancocas Nature Center, Westampton
Join the historical clues hike from 12:30-2 pm. The John Courtney Memorial Birding Hike, a tribute to the late 40-year volunteer naturalist, is next from 2:30-4 pm. Other activities include a recycling relay race, composting game and coloring station for all ages.
7th Annual Green Fair
April 22; 10 am-2 pm
Brick Township High School
The fair features dozens of local businesses exhibiting information on sustainable efforts. Brick Recycling Company will collect electronic gadgets and haul them away for free.
Volunteers at Northern Valley Earth Day. Courtesy of Northern Valley Earth Day
Northern Valley Earth Day
April 22
Tenakill Middle School, Closter
11 am-4 pm
Organized by the towns of Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Norwood, Old Tappan and Tenafly, this festival features live animal shows, butterfly demonstrations, beekeeping presentations, music by Granny Green’s Green Machine and plenty of booths with information on community environmental efforts.
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center
April 23; Noon-4 pm
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center, Elmer
Kids can create up-cycled art projects out of old CDs, egg cartons and soda bottles. Join the family line dancing lessons, plant a milkweed plant in the butterfly garden and groove to live music.
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey’s Earth Day Festival
April 22; 10 am-2 pm
Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, Summit
Before the festival, join the children’s science march at 9:30 am, starting at Promenade Park and ending at the Art Center. View the environmental-themed exhibitions in the galleries, participate in hands on art and science workshops and hear from local naturalists, wildlife specialists and park geologists.