The weather is warming up and it is time to get outdoors and celebrate Spring! The HCIA has just the event for you- join us on Saturday, April 27th for the 29th Annual Earth Day Celebration at Liberty State Park!
Get your heartrate going at the Earth Day 5K Run/Walk beginning at 10:00 am. The race offers a flat, fast USATF-NJ Certified Route along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway in Liberty State Park. Over the years, this race has become one of the region’s fastest-growing 5Ks of the season. All pre-registrants will receive a race t-shirt and post-race refreshments. Register now!
Participants may register on-site on the day of the race, however, only pre-registered participants are guaranteed a race shirt. Trophies will be awarded to the overall Female and Male finishers by age group including: 14 & under; 15-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59, 60-69; 70-79; and 80+.
When you finish the race, stick around for some family fun at the Earth Day Kids Kingdom and Fair being held from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm. Participants can enjoy a day of free activities in Liberty State Park. Catch some live entertainment on the Earth Day Main Stage with performers throughout the day including music by DJ Mickey. Be on the lookout for strolling entertainment including stilt walkers and jugglers. There is a lot to offer for the kids including arts & crafts, inflatable rides, obstacle course, face painting and kite flying. Take a stroll through the tent village including community and environmental exhibitors, health screenings, and of course spend some time at the HCIA Tent and the Hudson County Transportation Management Association! Bring home a free sapling for your Spring planting as a lasting memory of Earth Day!
Bring your appetite because food will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors including Tony’s Sausage, Ben & Jerry’s, The Empanada Guy, Maison Crepes, and Rogue’s Taco. Enjoy!
Paid parking is available at the Ferry Lot and the Light Rail Station lot with shuttle transportation available to the event site. To avoid congestion while being environmentally conscious on Earth Day, the HCIA encourages attendees to use public transportation via NJ Transit Bus or Light Rail to the Liberty State Park Light Rail Station.
Please join us for a day of fun in Liberty State Park! While you’re there, take a moment to participate in some of the free activities to educate the public on how to be more environmentally conscious!
Earth Day- From Then Til Now
Earth Day was started by United States Senator Gaylord Wilson from Wisconsin. Senator Wilson witnessed the effects of a massive oil spill along the California coastline in 1969 which motivated him to establish the first Earth Day in order to bring attention to the need for protection of the environment. On April 22, 1970, over “20 million Americans took to streets, parks and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies.”
Motivated by the outpouring of support for the first Earth Day, Congress enacted legislation to establish the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the enactment of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
By 1990, Earth Day went global mobilizing over 200 million people across 141 countries to raise issues of concern with regards to the environment. 192 countries currently celebrate Earth Day through the support of the Earth Day Network. Celebrations vary across the globe and include environmental cleanups, tree plantings, peaceful protests, educational events and fairs. However, they all are organized with he same goal of increasing public awareness of sustainable practices to help protect the Earth’s natural environment.
The 50th Anniversary of Earth Day is just one year away and will be celebrated on April 22, 2020. The Earth Day Network is launching a series of bold initiatives to galvanize global collaboration. Be a part of the action as we prepare for 2020!
A Look Back at Earth Day in Hudson County
In 1990, Hudson County jumped into the celebration of Earth Day in honor of the 20th Anniversary of Earth Day in the United States. Hudson County’s first Earth Day event was held at the Lincoln Monument area of Lincoln Park in Jersey City. Year after year the number of attendees increased and the event outgrew the Monument-area. After 5 years of festivities near the Fountain-area, the event outgrew Lincoln Park and moved to Liberty State Park. With the added parkland and the amazing pedestrian paths, the Earth Day 5K was established!
The Historic Central Railroad Terminal allows for the HCIA Earth Day celebration to be held rain or shine. Over the 29 years of Earth Day celebrations in Hudson County, the event has become the largest and longest running Earth Day in New Jersey with nearly 15,000 attendees annually. Join us this year for a great day outdoors with your neighbors in Hudson County. See you there!
