Lullaby of the Rivers Earth Day Festival

In celebration of Earth Day, there will be a three-day Earth Day festival on Friday, April 21 through Sunday, April, 23, 2023. Most of the event will be held at the North Shores Community Park in Vilano Beach.

Local singer/songwriter, Bob Patterson and organizer and activist, Carol Kramer, have used Bob's award-winning song "Lullaby of the Rivers" as the inspiration for the festival, which will feature popular regional performers on Saturday and Sunday.

"Lullaby of the Rivers" is a tribute to Florida's rivers and their heritage. In his folksy storytelling style, Patterson invites listeners to embrace the Native American traditions of environmental responsibility by remembering how Florida's great rivers like the Apalachicola, Ichetucknee, Ocklawaha and Kissimmee got their names.

In addition to two days of musical entertainment, the event will include an Earth Day Resource Fair with activities for kids, tastings of sustainable foods, and presentations by environmental organizations. As the organization states, "The mission of the Lullaby of the Rivers Festival is to awaken and nurture connections to nature in gatherings of all ages, by using music and stories that inspire environmental awareness and consciousness."

Events

Friday, April 21 The festival will offer a variety of events at the park and at nearby locations. These events are all free, however most will accept donations.

• Wildlife and ecology events are being planned for Friday
• 5:00 p.m. Music Jam at North Shores Park
• 7:00 p.m. Sunset River Clean-up led by Lauren Trice, the Matanzas Riverkeeper

Saturday, April 22 

• 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon — Performances for children on the main stage
• 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Earth Day Fair and Vendors, and Food Trucks.
• 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Storytelling and other performances on the Community Center Stage
• 12 noon – 8:00 p.m. — Live muisic on the main stage

Sunday, April 23, 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.

• LIve music on the main stage
• Storyteling and other performances on the Community Center Stage
• Tasting Tent
• Earth Day Fair, Vendors and Food Trucks

Parking is available at North Shores Park, SurfSide Park, Nease Beachfront Park, and Vilano. The latter option is about a mile from the festival, and a pleasant walk along the boardwalk and residential streets.

Admission: The events on Friday will be free. General admission on Saturday is $20 for one, and $30 for families of 2 or more. General Admisson on Sunday is $15.00 for one and $20.00 for families of 2 or more. Children 12 and under are free. For more information about Lullaby of the Rivers, and for tickets, go here.

When: Friday, April 21, with outdoor events scheduled at various times and locations. Saturday and Sunday , April 22, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, April 23, from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Where: Some of the events on Friday, and all events on Saturday and Sunday take place at North Shores Community Park is just north of the town center of Vilano Beach. Some events on Friday will take place on nearby beaches and waterways.

Lullaby of the Rivers Festival is a presentation of Lullaby of the Rivers Festival, Inc., a Florida non-profit.