Celebrate Earth Day with Surrey’s Party For the Planet

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Surrey residents can gather for a free, community celebration of Earth Day on April 27 with the City of Surrey’s Party for the Planet event. 

In its 13th year, the family-friendly event will be held at Surrey Civic Plaza from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm and encourages attendees to engage with Earth Day and environmental initiatives. There will be live music, food trucks, dance performances, Indigenous cultural sharing, kids activities, and environmental education. 

“It’s actually one of the largest Earth Day celebrations in B.C.,” says Preeti Yadav, special events project manager for the City of Surrey. 

“It gives an opportunity for the community to gather with family and friends. … You get to enjoy some live music and partake in some kids activities, crafts, a lot of the exhibitors and vendors have activity booths. For the city groups, you get to learn about some of their sustainability efforts that they’re doing in our community.” 

The event will feature four different stages — the “Family Stage,” “Earth Stage,” “Meadow Stage,” and “Community Stage” —  each showcasing local performers. Acts like Merlin the Magician and Live-Action Little Mermaid will take the “Family Stage,” while various dance performances and lessons will be on the “Community Stage,” featuring ensembles like Higher Ground Dance and Stars of the North Drum Group. 

Attendees can catch musical performances at the “Earth Stage” such as singer-songwriter Wilona at 12:00 pm, pop-acoustic singer-songwriter and Kwantlen Polytechnic University alumni Argel MDR at 4:00 pm, and Juno nominated percussionist Robin Layne and the Rhythm Makers at 6:00 pm. Other musicians and groups will take the “Meadow Stage,” including singer-songwriter Silent St. j at 2:00 pm and the Surrey City Orchestra at 4:00 pm.  

“We have various city groups that are going to be participating with activity booths, teaching the community how to live a greener lifestyle,” Yadav says, adding that there will be a new e-bike demo area. 

The sustainable market place will feature over 20 vendors selling handmade goods like tea, soap, candles, artwork, clothing, and jewelry among other items. There will also be a plant sale where attendees can purchase native plants and flowers for $3 to $6. 

“It’s a chance for people to purchase some plants at very low cost … so people can get started on their spring planting,” Yadav says. 

“We also have a tomato plant giveaway, so there’ll be some lucky attendees that are going to walk away with a tomato plant because we’re giving away 500 of them.” 

The tomato plants are limited to one per person, will be given out on a first come, first serve basis, and are sourced from 99 Nursery and Florist Inc in Surrey. 

There will also be more than 10 food trucks for attendees to grab a bite to eat, including Shameless Buns, Chickpea, and Rotato and Potato.

“We really work hard to incorporate lots of vegetarian, vegan, [and] cultural options,” Yadav says. “So at this year’s event, for the first time, you’ll be able to get samosas.” 

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22, marking the beginning of the modern environmental movement in 1970 and demonstrating support for environmental protection, according to EARTHDAY.ORG.  

“We don’t hold [Party for the Planet] on Earth Day. It’s great when it lands [on April 22], but we like to do it on a weekend where we can have the majority of people attend,” Yadav says. 

Party for the Planet is one of four major events the City of Surrey hosts each year, Yadav says. 

“The event just gets bigger every year, and we’re excited by the community’s response,” she says. 

“I hope people take away some simple changes they can make, that they learn about things that they can do to make a positive change towards a healthier planet. Small little things go a long way [whether] it’s about water usage or recycling.” 

For more information about the event, visit partyfortheplanet.ca/.