The sixth annual Oak Cliff Earth Day Festival will take place Sunday April 22, 2012 from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Lake Cliff Park at the corner of Colorado and Zang Boulevards. The event is focused on raising awareness about pollution, conservation and recycling.  This event is free and open to the public. Parking and shuttle services will be available from Methodist Health System at Lot # 6 in the 1400 Block of North Beckley Ave.  Money raised from this event goes to support local non-profit organizations in Oak Cliff.

This year’s event will feature a number of new exhibits including a farm animal petting zoo, microchip service for pets.  In addition, the Blackland Prairie Raptor exhibit is making a special appearance from their center in Lucas, Texas. The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center is a rehabilitation and conservation education organization, specializing in fostering better public understanding of the relationship between birds of prey and healthy ecosystems.

The Oak Cliff Mutt Strut will start at 2 p.m. with onsite registration the day of the festival. There is no entry fee and prizes will be awarded for the dogs with costumes and personalities that best embody the spirit of Earth Day. Animal Allies of Texas will be on-site with a veterinarian to offer low-cost vaccines and microchip services at Earth Day Clinic from 12 noon to 4 p.m.

Attendees will find these new additions complement the annual arts and crafts exhibits, live entertainment, animal adoption groups, food vendors and food trucks.  There will be city of Dallas departments providing information on recycling, pollution prevention, water conservation and sanitation efforts. Vendors include garden clubs, plant societies, landscapers, green energy companies, Texas honey bee guild, non-profit organizations and transportation groups. Space is still available for additional vendors. Contact swain@oakcliffearthday.org or visit www.oakcliffearthday.org to register.

Sponsors currently include ABCO Printing, Coke Web Design, Dallas County Schools, Home Depot, Goodspace, JD’s Tree Service, Memnosyne Foundation/ Green Source DFW, Methodist Health System, Oak Cliff Online, REI and Univision. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Ben Geirsch at giersch@oakcliffearthday.org or Jon Papp at papp@oakcliffearthday.org.

Oak Cliff Earth Day will be held at the corner of Zang and Colorado in Lake Cliff Park in North Oak Cliff on Sunday April 22, 2012 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. For more information visit www.oakcliffearthday.org.