Sunday, April 17th. EarthFair Day.
Having heard all the warnings about trying to drive to Earth Fair–not to mention the irony–, I took the bus.
The Number 7 bus was a half hour late and it dropped me on the corner of Park & University. It wasn’t going anywhere near that mess in Balboa Park. Eventually, the Balboa Park “shuttle” appeared. After quibbling with the driver when he asked for another fare, we sped three blocks south only to get in line. Hurry up and wait.
Traffic was held up at Roosevelt Junior High by the police so the people who drove could turn left across traffic towards parking lots. Even on Earth Day, it’s cars first in San Diego. #CarsRule #Pedestrians&BusRidersDrool.
After a mere 75 minutes, I was deposited at my destination. I could have walked from Noth Park… …been having a little trouble with the after effects of my cancer surgery lately, and I was trying to buy some extra time in the park.
EarthFair was worth the journey, if for no other reason than to see all these activist types in one place: GreenPeace, SD350, Sierra Club, Environmental Democrats, Vets for Peace, CoastKeeper, Climate Mobilization and a dozen more that I forgot to write down were all there. Everywhere you looked there were Bernie supporters.
And then there were the haters. A Sister of Perpetual Indulgence stood, parasol in hand, warning people, directing traffic. “Intolerant bigots this way. Families with children that way.” I don’t know if they were the real deal–as in Westboro Baptist Church–and I didn’t bother to stop and ask.
There were petitions to sign, voter registration forms to be filled out, performances to watch, and what I presume was healthy food being sold. The folks from the Citizens Plan were gathering signatures. You could sign for an additional two buck tax on cigarettes and against corporate greed.
Purists will no doubt be unhappy to hear that there were numerous representatives from corporate America, singing their siren songs about how Green they’ll be if you’ll only spend a few bucks with them.
I saw about 10% of the fair during my 90-minute visit. I’m sure I missed some great stuff. Even without an EarthFair, Balboa Park is a swell place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon.
Enjoy the photos.
John Lawrence says
I got there about 10 AM having no trouble proceeding down 163 to the Park Ave exit, hanging a left and parking in the first parking lot on the right. (Inspiration Point?)
I went first to the Tiny Homes exhibit and bought a T-shirt. Then I made the rounds totally impressed by the number of groups represented there as Doug was. This was a really big deal with so many people involved. On my way in I was asked to sign a petition for the Chargers downtown stadium. I said “I don’t want a stadium for the Chargers in downtown.”
I signed the petition for an extra 2 buck tax on cigarettes though. The food on sale wasn’t all that healthy – hot dogs and bratwurst. It was hot. After making the rounds, I had no problem getting out of the parking lot and back on the freeway, I-5 south. I forgot you couldn’t get on 94 east that way. I’m glad I went.
Jim Skeese says
Engaged anthropomorphists
prepare to celebrate 46th an-
niversary of Earth Day.
US Senator Gaylord Nelson,
Wisconsin, recognized founder
of Save the Planet, marshalls
recruits, 1970, which led to
the creation of EPA, another
expansion of the federal govern-
ment, but necessary in Order to
form a more perfect Union.
“We gotta protect Mother Earth.
Protecting Mother Earth, our
creator, is necessary. Furthermore,
if we fail to recognize Mother
Earth, we jeopardize our lives
and risk the end of endangered
species dependent upon Mother
Earth’s generosity and love of
Mother Earth’s creations.”
To this end, a local community
spearheads operation Save the
Planet by offering free bus rides,
Earth Day, April 22, 2016.
“Ridicule a free bus ride to nowhere,
and you mock, smear Earth Day
worshippers.”
“But free bus rides? Most buses
pollute Mother Earth. Fossil-driven
or fossil-fuel generated electric trans-
misson vehicles pollute Mother
Earth’s environment, just as surely
as we expell carbon dioxide into
or onto the atmosphere.”
“Don’t matter. We anthropomor-
phists recognize indulgence of
Mother Earth. She recognizes the
burden to deliver the message of
salvation, despite the ugliness of
free bus rides, which is harmful
but justified tactic to spread the
message of salvation. No pain,
to gain, a disgusting assumption
attributed to human debris.”
“You’re a savant. I admire your
savoir-vivre, your attitude to live
life well. Unfortunately, I work
Earth Day and my retarded
employer does not excuse absence
fixated on popular culture.”