A family-friendly environment with music, activities and information booths brought about 2,000 people together in the Glendora City Hall on April 13.
The 15th annual Earth Day festival, sponsored by the City of Glendora, had Earth-related kids activities and information booths from most departments of the city.
John Aguirre, acting community services director, said the purpose of the festival is “to educate the citizens that we need to treat the Earth with care.”
Aguirre has been overseeing the festival for the last four years, making sure everything is in place “to help promote saving the world, reducing and recycling.”
Booths from community groups from the city were at the center of the upper square behind the City Hall. Meanwhile, the lower square had children’s activities and vendors while a DJ played lively music.
The event also had an eco-tour in the city via shuttle. Around 128 people went to see Glendora from an environmental viewpoint.
Dottie Hilliard was representing the Trails Council in Glendora.
Hilliard, retired Citrus College physical education professor from 1987, said she was invited by the City of Glendora to attend the festival with her horse.
Hilliard and her husband, Glendora residents since 1956, have been coming to the event every year for the past 10 years. She said she hopes to “acquaint people with the personality of the animal.”
“I’m here to encourage people to love horses and to be aware that we have horses in the community,” Hilliard said. “Some people haven’t even touched a horse, even adults have a fear of them.”
One of the vendors from the Farm Fresh market, Robert Marken said he was there to “change people’s lives and help them eat healthier.”
The market helps the environment by sourcing products as locally as possible.
“The alternative is conventional farming and also sources from all over the world,” Marken said. “If your food doesn’t come from South America, it’s probably a little more energy efficient.”
A Glendora resident for 15 years, Crystal Morrell, came to prestige the event for the second time with her two children.
Morrell said the festival is “a very informative and fun event for the kids and the family,” but she thinks adding more tables and chairs would improve the festival.
“We like to participate in all the community events,” Morrell said. “It’s important for my kids to learn the importance of keeping our Planet clean.”
