SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — For more than 50 years, Earth Day celebrations have taken place across the nation annually to demonstrate support for environmental protections of the planet.
In the greater Wilmington area, events are being planned for Saturday, April 22. The Cameron Art Museum will bring back FlorILM, an art-and-science multimedia collaboration. Long Leaf Park will be host to the Wilmington Earth Day Alliance’s annual event.
Both involve interaction and engagement, as well as education and awareness on issues that affect climate change — plus entertainment in live music, dance, and more.
Wilmington Earth Day Festival
Taking place on Earth Day proper, the all-day festival is happening at Long Leaf Park (314 Pine Grove Dr.) from noon until 6 p.m. with live music, 50-plus environmentally friendly vendors, kids activities in the EcoZone and more.
The 2023 theme is “Invest In Our Planet” and the event is zero-waste, meaning multiple stations are set up for composting food waster and recycling beverage cups, compostable packaging and cutlery. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own water bottle for free water refills from Culligan.
Food trucks will be parked on site, including Webo’s, RiCoQui (serving Latin American plant-based food), Smash and Dash, King of the Ring hotdog cart, with beverages available from local craft breweries including Edward Teach, Hi-Wire and Good Hops. Wine will be served from Noni Bacca Winery, with kombucha and hard kombucha from Panacea. Plus there will be fruit smoothies from Smart Smoothies and dessert drinks from Chocolate and ‘Smore.
Parking is free on site and trolley shuttles will run from the south entrance of the old New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Dr. Wave Transit is offering free rides all day on Earth Day as well.
Leashed pets are welcome in the grassy areas (not inside the tents or food area).
The entertainment schedule includes:
noon – 1:45 p.m. — The Delia Stanley Duo
1:45 p.m. to 2 p.m. — Infinite Spins
2 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. — Brett Johnson and Nimara Snyder
3:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Infinite Spins
4 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. — Ashby and the Business End
FlowILM
The third annual Flow ILM event will take place at Cameron Art Museum on Saturday, April 22, 6 p.m. to 9:30 pm. Artists, scientists, local nonprofits and UNCW labs and programs that study local and global water issues will be on site to participate in the multimedia event.
Research will be shared with community members from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., including educational and family activities and live music.
From 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., a live performance, dance, sculpture, light and sound installation will take place, produced by Coaction Lab at UNCW.
FlowILM focuses on “articulating the un/stable relationships between organisms, environments, creativity and technology,” according to CAM’s press release.
The goal is to highlight aquatic organisms unique to the Cape Fear coastal ecosystem, with visitors encouraged to explore biologically and ecologically inspired art and performance across the museum grounds.
Flow ILM will showcase roughly a dozen artists from multiple sectors, as well as five nonprofits, including Cape Fear Audubon and Coastal Land Trust, UNCW labs and other school and lab programming.
Also in celebration of Earth Day, CAM will screen short documentaries on Thursday, April 20, 6:30 p.m. One will be centered on a 2022 CAM exhibition, “Confluence,” from the Algae Society. After the 12 minute doc, “FlowILM” (13 min), centered on 2022’s event, will screen. Both are produced by UNCW and will be presented by Gene Felice.
Thereafter “Freedom Hill,” directed by Resita Cox will be screened at 7 p.m. It follows present day impacts of climate change and delves into environmental justice in the small town of Princeville, N.C. The first town incorporated by freed, formerly enslaved Africans in America, Princeville’s historical significance is vast but in peril, as it is gradually being washed away.
“‘Freedom Hill’ is a short documentary exploring the environmental racism washing away the town of under 2,000,”according to a release.
After its screening, a Q&A with the director, Dr. Britt Moore, and Deborah Dicks Maxwell will take place.
FlowILM is also sponsored by Duke Energy, the Arts Council of Wilmington, the UNCW College of Arts & Sciences and the Office for Applied Learning & High Impact Practices.
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