News Release - April 24, 2015

Hundreds to gather for planet-focused parade and festival in Vancouver

VANCOUVER – Sunday, April 26th marks the return of Vancouver’s annual youth-led Earth Day Celebration, March & Festival on Commercial Drive. Organized by Windermere High School’s student group Youth for Climate Justice Now (Y4CJN), the fun, community-inclusive event has become a yearly tradition in Vancouver.

The goal of the festival is to bring diverse crowds together to celebrate the planet and foster community engagement around critical environmental challenges in today’s world. The event features a lively parade with Earth-themed art projects and creative floats. The festival at Grandview Park includes a stellar line-up of guest speakers, local musical acts and kids’ activities. This year's festival will also feature a presentation from internationally renowned scientist, activist and professor Lynne Quarmby.

“It’s my first year organizing but I’m extremely honoured to continue the legacy of the Vancouver Earth Day Celebration,” said Grade 11 student and Y4CJN organizer Carmen Leung. “We want to show how dedicated youth are to making change in the world.”

“Our goal is to bring young people and the whole community together to celebrate the Earth, and to raise awareness about ongoing climate issues such as fracking, tankers and pipelines,” said Mabel Huang, another student organizer.

In coalition with Y4CJN, Windermere’s leadership program has been active in making this parade happen by following its motto: Actions, not words. Local organizations supporting the event include the Wilderness Committee, ForestEthics, the Vancouver School Board, the Georgia Straight, Co-Op Radio and CUPE Local 15.

Other guest speakers include Tamo Campos, activist and grandson of David Suzuki; Bryan Buraga, member of Youth for Climate Action; and Andrea Reimer, the deputy mayor of Vancouver. There will be musical performances by Buckman Coe, Stand for the Bear and more!

The event will begin with a parade departing from Broadway and Commercial Drive at 12:00 pm, with festivities continuing at Grandview Park from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. All participation is free. 

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For more information, contact:

Joe Foy | National Campaign Director, Wilderness Committee – (604) 880-2580

For student organizer interview requests, contact:

Alexis Stoymenoff | Communications Coordinator, Wilderness Committee
alexis@wildernesscommittee.org, 604-683-8220 (office), 604-369-3351 (cell)

For additional event details, visit www.earthdayvancouver.ca