Leavenworth celebrates Earth Day with fair at Enchantment Park

LEAVENWORTH — A festive spirit of environmental stewardship blossomed at Enchantment Park on a sunny April 26, amidst the annual Community Earth Day Fair, which brought neighbors together for a joyful celebration of sustainability, creativity, and community connection. The Fair was hosted for the fourth straight year by Waste Loop, the non-profit focused on inspiring and transforming local waste streams into sustainable resources, which also runs the Leavenworth Recycling Center.

“The Fair is an opportunity as a community to gather together to celebrate spring, appreciate the beautiful nature that surrounds us, and all that the earth gives us,” noted Waste Loop’s Education and Outreach Manager, Amanda Close. “As an organization, we also love seeing all of our community partners come together to share their message.”

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the park buzzed with activity as locals of all ages explored a vibrant mix of food, music, art, activities, and education — all centered on nurturing a healthier planet and supporting local environmental efforts.

The day began on a peaceful note with a Tai Chi class and a community yoga session, inviting attendees to ground themselves in nature. As the day warmed up, so did the atmosphere, with a high-energy live music lineup featuring Darnell Scott, Chumlilies, and Nu Jack City, each drawing a crowd to the main stage with their dynamic performances.

Food booths dished out local flavor and eco-conscious fare, encouraging fairgoers to bring their own reusable dishware to reduce waste. Attendees enjoyed treats from Bavarian Kettle Corn, refreshing kombucha from Huney Jun, savory plates from La Javelina, and Mediterranean favorites from Olive Tree Leavenworth.

The fair also served as a showcase for local artisans and creators. Vendor booths from Infuse Organics, The Crystal Chameleon Art Studio, Wild Awake Design, and others offered handcrafted items, eco-friendly goods, and artistic expressions rooted in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.

A special highlight of the day was the Earth Day 3K Run/Walk/Bike/Stroller, hosted by the Cascade PTSA in support of students at Icicle River Middle School and Cascade High School. And Eastside Cycle Works was on hand with bike tune-ups.

The fun run/walk/bike doubled as a transportation awareness campaign, emphasizing the benefits of reducing car traffic and finding joy in alternative modes of movement. “

Behind the scenes, dozens of volunteers helped bring the Earth Day Fair to life.

Dozens of educational booths also lined the walkways, offering resources, demonstrations, and conversations about local environmental initiatives, conservation, and climate action. Organizations represented included the Cascade Community Markets, Cascadia Conservation District, Chelan County PUD, Washington State Department of Ecology, Waste Loop, and many more. From noxious weed awareness to wildfire resilience and salmon recovery, the range of information available reflected the complexity — and hope — of environmental action in the region.

Among these, the Cascade High School Environmental Sustainability Club’s booth (the Sustainability Club) stood out as a perennial favorite, buzzing with activity throughout the afternoon. It may have been the most popular stop for families, thanks to the ever-popular face painting station for young children. Proud little lions, butterflies, and princesses roamed the park with freshly painted faces, delighting attendees and adding a splash of color and whimsy to the day’s festivities. 

“For the Sustainability Club,” reflected its President, CHS senior Hazel Eschen, “it’s a chance to join the greater community to help raise awareness of how important the health of the earth is to all of us. Our contribution each year is focused on the youngest attendees, who were very happy to run around with unicorns and Spiderman painted on their faces. It was really a lovely day.” 

Waste Loop gratefully emphasized that the event would not be possible without the time and dedication of community members who gave their energy to planning, setup, cleanup, and engagement throughout the day.

Caroline Menna is an intern for Ward Media and a senior at Cascade High School, where she serves as Editor-in-Chief of the school’s Publications Group.