By Laurie O’Neill — Correspondent
Where can you pick up a free native tree seedling or pollinator garden kit, ask questions about how to weatherize your home or what it’s like to own an electric vehicle, attend a yoga class or a plein air sketching workshop, enjoy a puppet show, and nibble on a chocolate-covered strawberry prepared on a portable induction cooktop?
You can do all that and more while helping to propel Concord towards a greener, more resilient future at the Cooler Concord Climate Festival.
The event will be held Saturday, April 20, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Concord-Carlisle High School, having been moved from the Concord Main Library’s front lawn due to weather.
The festival is sponsored by Concord’s Sustainability Division, the Concord Free Public Library, the Concord chapter of Mothers Out Front, Musketaquid Arts & Environment, and the Umbrella Arts Center.
The goal is “to bring together individuals and organizations passionate about climate change and sustainability,” said Concord Climate Action Committee member Karen Gibson.
Visitors can share practical information, engage in hands-on demonstrations, enjoy performances and collaborative art projects, and connect with like-minded community members.
A free Bike Valet — a staffed and secure bicycle parking station — will be offered so that attendees can avoid parking hassles and help reduce transportation emissions. Users will be automatically entered into a prize drawing.
Learn more about the Cooler Concord Climate Festival at coolerconcord.org/events/1343.
The climate festival is designed to complement Youth Forward Climate Action Day on April 20 at the Umbrella. This event will feature a fashion show by rising eco-designers, a Heartbeat Space video installation, and a mend-a-thon where participants can make their damaged clothing look new.
Action Day is part of the Umbrella’s “Tapped In” exhibition, which opened April 11 and brings together 10 artist-scientist pairs who offer fresh perspectives on climate change, CO2 mitigation, and related issues.
Visit theumbrellaarts.org/Tapped-In for more information.
