Santa Rosa Water invites public to Earth Day festival April 25 in Old Courthouse Square

Jennifer Nesbitt, research and program coordinator for Santa Rosa Water’s energy and sustainability team, formally invited the board to the city’s 17th annual Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 25 from noon to 4 p.m. at Old Courthouse Square. “Earth Day is a free, family friendly event for our community that brings us all together through fun activities, live performing arts, great food, and inspiring exhibits that raise environmental awareness,” Nesbitt said.

Nesbitt outlined event features including free bike parking run by the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition, a hydration station providing tap water, about 60 local vendors, classroom animal exhibits, face painting, a recycled-art procession from Julliard Park into the square, and a beer-and-wine tent hosted by Latino service providers. Fare-free transit will be offered all day via Santa Rosa City Bus, Petaluma Transit and Sonoma County Transit. Nesbitt also noted pre-event creek cleanups organized by the stormwater and creeks team and Santa Rosa Water.

Board member DeWitt asked about creek-cleanup start times (Nesbitt said they believe many start around 9 a.m.) and about expected city support (Nesbitt said she anticipated some city vehicles and first-responder presence but could not yet confirm specific resources). No public comment was offered on the briefing.

Nesbitt closed by encouraging volunteers and noting a volunteer/website contact was provided in the presentation.