Earth Day first started in 1977 as a world wide event to demonstrate support for environmental protection. The first Earth Day brought out over 20 million people into the sunshine for peaceful demonstrations of environmental reform. Today, Earth Day 2016 is observed in 192 countries and is celebrated by more than one billion people.
I attended the Earth Day celebrations in Sacramento, which was host to over 150 vendors. They ranged from political for elections, environmental, water conservation, composting, bats (this one was cool), California and Sacramento departments and agencies which relate to the environment, as well as craft and goods vendors.
A goal of the event coordinators was to educate the community on methods to reduce carbon footprints and live sustainably. In Sacramento, the nation’s Farm-To-Fork community, they had a receptive audience. The food was mostly plant based and sustainably sourced. Mexican, South American, Indian, Ethiopian, and juices were front and center.
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Earth Day 2016 Musical Performance – Danza Azteca Quetzalcoatl-Citlalli
Serving as the event kickoff, Danza Azteca Quetzalcoatl-Citlalli provided a 45 minute performance of ceremonial pre-Columbian dance. Vibrant and powerful, the group’s dancing brought in the festival-goers for swaying, clapping, and foot stomping to the beat of the drums.
The group of 16 consisted of both adults and kids. The younger kids hilariously became bored several songs in and walked to the songs instead of dancing. Their energy was revitalized upon being called for their own special dance.
Arms raised in the air, bright multi-colored feathers brilliant and adorned dancers’ heads moved in unison, stomping on the ground to the beat of the lone drummer. Ritualistic dancing reminiscent of days gone by. Burning incense surrounded by large seashells fills the nostrils, bringing the audience ever closer to feeling the performance in celebration of Earth Day 2016. The crowds circled the dancers, applauding and cheering, feeling the music and performance.
The second to last dance brought audience members into a giant circle which slowly revolved and changed shape. As the circle moved and dances around, the people moved closer and intertwined, without ever displaying a start nor end to the “circle.” The performance ended with a warrior dance and spectacular display of energy for the earth.
Earth Day 2016 Vendors
Earth Day 2016 Food Vendors
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I strive to paint vivid landscapes with my words, bringing the magic of far-off lands and enchanting aromas to life for my readers. Combine passion for exploration and the art of gastronomy in an unending ode to the senses. When I’m not traversing the globe, I find solace in the earth beneath my fingertips, tending to my garden and working on projects around my verdant oasis. MK Library serves as a beacon, guiding fellow travelers and homebodies alike to embrace sustainability, nurturing both our planet and our souls with purpose. Full Bio.
Thank you! You might have guessed this but three of them are my kids 🙂
Hi, Just wanted to share that it seems a bit rough to characterize the kids as bored. This is a living tradition and the way we live our lives. We are happy and fine if kids come in and out because they are just being kids! We are blessed that they are willing to come around and learn these ways so they can continue this into the future. Most of the adults there were once exactly like those kids – dancing some, walking around, and participating in their own way. The main speaker in fact, was once just like those kids and is now doing the work his father left behind after passing away. The grown son and the rest of our dance family is preserving over 30 years of ceremonial dance in this community. Thank you for your time!
Hi Jacqueline, Thanks a lot for bringing in some added perspective! The entire performance was a lot of fun to watch. The kids walking to the music during a few of the songs were my own interpretations and observations, but were meant in no way to be disparaging of them or the performances.
Very true! Nice to see someone explain it like that. 🙂