The Town of Chapel Hill, in cooperation with Briar Chapel and Duke Energy, will present the 2009 Earth Action Day Celebration from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, on the grounds of UNC's Morehead Planetarium and Science Center on Franklin Street in downtown Chapel Hill. A free event for the whole family, Earth Action Day will provide a fun-filled afternoon of learning about environmental issues in our community through demonstrations, performances and activities.

Entertainment features an Earth Day Ballet by the Studio A Dancers. Dancers ages eight to 18 will perform a modern dance piece wearing masks they created out of recycled material. Musical entertainment will be provided by Equinox, a six-piece jazz and blues band, and the Kickin Grass Band, with contemporary Carolina bluegrass.

More than 60 organizations will exhibit at the event, showcasing sustainable initiatives including water conservation devices, green building, green lawn care services and biofuels.                             

The North Carolina Botanical Gardens will host tours of the Coker Arboretum at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Self-guiding brochures and a scavenger hunt for families with young children will also be available. The UNC Institute for the Environment will host a feature film, "The Last Time We Were Green," at 7 p.m. in the Planetarium's theater.

Healthy food will be integrated into the event. EVOS, a fast food restaurant that offers healthier options, will sell some of its popular items including steakburgers, honey mesquite chicken sandwiches and spicy Thai chicken salad. On Earth Day (Wednesday, April 22), EVOS will offer free shakes at their Eastgate location.

Take action and reduce your carbon foot print. Ride Free and Ride Green! Chapel Hill and Carrboro's fare-free bus system is an easy way to travel to Earth Action Day. Shuttles directly to and from the event will be available on regular weekend bus routes. Public parking on site will be limited, so take free transit buses to the event. For more information on bus routes and schedules visit www.townofchapelhill.org/earthday.  Also, join Chapel Hill transit and the Mayor of Chapel Hill at Earth Action Day in unveiling Chapel Hill's newest addition to the fleet at the event.

Activities will continue through the week, including Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' Earth and Sky Celebration Sunday, April 19, at the Carrboro Century Center and films and storytelling with Louise Omoto Kessel Sunday, April 26, at the Chapel Hill Public Library.