Local businesses marked Earth Day on Tuesday with sustainability initiatives and community efforts across the Fresno area. Photo by Gabriel Jimenez / Unsplash

Local businesses are marking Earth Day with family-friendly events focused on recycling, reducing and reusing.

Earth Day was founded by U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, who, with the help of organizer Denis Hayes, inspired 20 million Americans to take to the streets on April 22, 1970. More than 50 years later, individuals and businesses across the Central Valley are still showing up for Earth Day.

Fashion Fair, Fresno State talk green

Fashion Fair celebrated Earth Day on April 18 alongside Fresno State’s Earth and Environmental Sciences department. The family-friendly event included a talk from the EES department, reusable tote bag decorating, seed pod crafting and giveaways.

“I hope that kids and families will walk away thinking about the fact that it is Earth Day, and Earth Month, and that they are contributors to the future of the success of the health of our planet,” said Brian Malony, Fashion Fair’s senior marketing manager.

Malony, also known as Mr. B, hosts a monthly storytime series at Fashion Fair’s Center Court in partnership with Barnes & Noble, reading to local children dressed as a bee. 

“I am a former professional voiceover actor, so I get a chance to get back into my old line of work,” he said. “This month’s book is ‘Hedgehogs Wear Underwear,’ so it has a fun sort of earthy theme as well.”

Local produce, yoga, clothing exchange

The Visalia Farmers Market will observe Earth Day on April 25 with a beginner-friendly yoga class, live music, pop-up vendors and a clothing exchange. For $5, participants can swap up to five gently used items.

“For us it’s really, really important to teach people that shopping locally is important. It’s really important for our farmers, it’s really important for our environment, and we have those options in Visalia –  we really do,” said market director Marina Newman. 

The market is now held in the Tulare County Courthouse parking lot, shaded by solar panels following renovations to the Sequoia Mall.

Art, music and an electric vehicle test drive

Earth Day Fresno, organized by the Environmental Collaborative of Central California, was held April 18 at Fresno City College. 

Alongside food, music and guest speakers, attendees test-drove electric vehicles — one of the event’s most popular draws. A DIY Zone featured sewing and beading lessons, while kids participated in hands-on crafts centered on reducing waste.

The grounds were decorated with colorful life-sized balloon trees that were provided by Uplift Balloon Events.

Eco-conscious meets Alcoholism Awareness

Madera’s Coalition for Community Justice hosted its Earth Day Block Party on April 18, led by youth group Madera Youth Leaders. 

The event blended environmental awareness with alcoholism prevention — attendees shopped with local vendors and experienced a DUI obstacle course, wearing “drunk goggles” while attempting tasks like cup stacking to understand how alcohol impairs motor function.

Coordinator Jazmin Guzman said the youth group, open to teens ages 10–19, builds both social and leadership skills through events like these. 

“They’re getting to know how to outreach, how to get pledges, how to give out information on that,” Guzman said.