Earth Day festival draws thousands downtown
After being delayed one week due to threatening weather and storms, Columbia’s annual Earth Day festival drew thousands to downtown Sunday afternoon.
The street fair shut down Elm Street at Peace Park to create Eco Avenue. About 220 vendor booths were set up, more than the festival drew last year.
The people who spoke to ABC 17 News at the event said they were glad it could go on because of its message.
“I remember when Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) took the lead on starting up Earth Day,” said Bill Wickersham. “Of course one of the larger goals of that was showing people what a small, interdependent planet we live on.”
Other activities at the festival included Kids Park and live music throughout the day.