June 12, 2025
Despite a rainy forecast, the spirit of community and environmental stewardship was in full force at Norwalk’s Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 26! Dozens of vendors, city departments, educators, environmentalists, and nonprofit organizations came together on the Norwalk Green to celebrate sustainability, share resources, and connect with residents.
The mission of the Norwalk Earth Day Festival is to host a fun, community-led, and family-oriented event that inspires action toward a sustainable future by providing educational experiences, engaging activities, and showcasing eco-friendly solutions. The goal is to foster a collective commitment to protecting our planet and improving our personal well-being, while also highlighting the work the City of Norwalk is doing to create a greener and healthier city for its residents.
The festival featured more than 60 exhibitors and vendors offering everything from composting tips to locally grown produce, reflecting Norwalk’s philosophy that meaningful change happens through local partnerships and thoughtful community action.
In the week leading up to Earth Day, nearly 100 young rowers from Norwalk’s local rowing clubs (Connecticut Boat Club, Maritime Rowing Club, and Norwalk River Rowing Association) organized cleanups along the Norwalk River. Through their enthusiasm in collecting over 1,000 pounds of trash, these budding environmentalists truly shared that they ‘love where they row’. Their efforts reflect the growing momentum among youth to take active roles in preserving natural spaces for recreation and community well-being.
Photo credit: Tracy Craighead
A Brief Look Back: The History of Earth Day
First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day has grown into a global call for environmental awareness and action and is considered to be the dawn of the modern environmental movement. The event was born out of a desire to elevate ecological consciousness and is now observed by over 1 billion people worldwide, making it the largest secular day of protest in the world.
In Norwalk, CT, Earth Day isn’t just about celebrating the planet—it’s about honoring the ongoing efforts that protect it, year after year.
Initially, the idea of this Norwalk event was born out of the COVID pandemic, when members of the Norwalk Green Association began discussing ways to build a stronger sense of community. They decided to organize an Earth Day celebration that would spotlight the efforts of local environmental organizations and support the City’s Keep Norwalk Beautiful cleanup initiative. By 2022, what started as a small, neighborhood-focused event on the Norwalk Green had grown significantly in size and impact, attracting participants from across Norwalk and nearby towns.
As Tracy Craighead, Chair of event says, “For us, this day is all about conveying the hopeful message about the potential for change and the importance of working together as a community because it’s going to take all of us: activists, citizens, businesses, community leaders, artists and governments to create the necessary change that will have a positive impact on preserving the planet for future generations.” And she adds, “I am thrilled about how this grass roots community-led effort has grown through its collaboration with the City, and now our message is getting out to the public in an educational, engaging, and fun way that keeps folks coming back each year.”
Festival Highlights: Collaboration, Curiosity & Connection
Attendees brought enthusiasm and genuine interest to the event. Many vendors reported a steady stream of visitors eager to learn more about everything from native plants and pollinators to clean energy and coastal resilience.
Local farms, city agencies, youth programs, and sustainability organizations all contributed to the festival’s sense of purpose and possibility. Channel News coverage captured the day’s energy, with Union City Farm owner Patrick Blanchette noting the event’s importance in bringing together like-minded community members.
Additionally, this year’s Earth Day celebration also featured a wide variety of interactive events and experiences, including:
- Eco Trashion Show – A creative fashion made from repurposed materials
- Walks & Guided Experiences, such as:
- Community, History & Nature Walk
- Wall Street Corridor Revitalization Walk
- Forest Bathing Walk with the Norwalk Land Trust
- Spirit Walk with Al Forte
- A Talk with David Pogue: “10 Reasons for Climate Hope…10 Actions You Can Take Now!” at Mill Hill Historic Park
- Children’s Storytime at First Congregational Church
- Tree Planting Ceremony
- Live Music Performances at the gazebo on the Norwalk Green:
Together, these events created a festive and educational atmosphere that invited residents of all ages to connect with nature and each other.
Photo credit: Tracy Craighead
A Reflection of Norwalk’s Environmental Goals
The Earth Day Festival also reflects the City of Norwalk’s broader sustainability goals. Under the leadership of Jodi Trendler, the City’s newly appointed Director of Sustainability and Resilience, Norwalk is taking actionable steps toward climate resilience, environmental education, and community-driven planning.
“This event embodies the kind of community connection and education that moves our city closer to its sustainability goals,” said Jodi Trendler, Director of Sustainability and Resilience for the City of Norwalk. “Earth Day is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder that when we work together, we create a lasting impact!”
Events like this serve as both celebration and catalyst, unifying the people and partnerships that will shape a greener, healthier Norwalk for generations to come. They are also a meaningful entry point for younger activists, many of whom are stepping up to participate in city cleanups, lend a hand at exhibitor tables, bring creativity to repurposed lawn sign art, and even take the spotlight in the eco-fashion show at the Earth Day event. Their energy and enthusiasm reflect the event’s growing power to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
Photo credit: Tracy Craighead
Looking Ahead
Those who attended left inspired! With a growing number of grassroots partners, local advocates, and environmentally conscious residents and businesses, Norwalk continues to make sustainability a shared priority. It is this “collective action” that is encouraging the Norwalk community to step up efforts together to combat climate change, protect biodiversity, and preserve our ecosystems.
We’re already looking forward to next year, and hope to see you there!
Photo credit: Tracy Craighead
