Earth Day in the Junction Adds Costume Contest

From the Historic Valley Junction website:

Join us for the 8th Annual Earth Day in the Junction Celebration on Sunday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This celebration of Earth Day includes a diverse group of exhibitors, children’s activities, live music, demonstrations and food.

• NEW! Costume Contest: This year, there will be a costume contest for the Earth Day in the Junction 2-Mile, 4-Mile and Kids Fun Run participants! Dress up in your best Earth Day-inspired costume. Runners who dress up will receive a coupon to Green Grounds Café, and prizes will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place costumes.

• This year’s Earth Day in the Junction Celebration will feature a 2-Mile and 4-Mile Run/Walk beginning at 11 a.m. The Children's Fun Run will begin at noon.

• The Hybrid Mileage Contest will take place at 12:30 p.m.

Entering its 43rd year, Earth Day has become a prominent celebration internationally. It was started by Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin in 1970 as an environmental protest to call attention to mounting pollution, wildlife endangerment and disregard for natural resources in the United States. In the ‘90s, the recognition of Earth Day went global. In 2006 a group of organizations and businesses with local, regional, national and global sustainability concerns joined forces to create a local event to celebrate Earth Day and promote environmental education and green practices here in the Des Moines area.

Historic Valley Junction, in West Des Moines, is six square blocks of antique and specialty shops, art galleries, fashion boutiques, hair salons, service businesses and restaurants. Many of these businesses will be open to the public during the Earth Day Celebration.