The fourth annual Run for Environment kicked off the 11th annual Oak Cliff Earth Day. Photos by Andrea Ridout.
April 17, 2018
A brisk, sunny and remarkably windy spring day marked the return of Oak Cliff Earth Day on Sunday at Lake Cliff Park in Dallas.
New organizers Green Source DFW and its parent nonprofit, the Memnosyne Institute, put their personal green stamp on the grassroots celebration kicking it off with the fourth annual Run for the Environment.
Gregory Gomez leads a Native American prayer to open the festival. Photo by Julie Thibodeaux. Watch the video by Jason Winningham.
More than 60 runners and walkers bundled up for the 5K chip timed run and 1 mile fun walk benefiting GreenSourceDFW.org. Participants of all ages bolstered by hot coffee and breakfast treats left the starting gate at 9:30 a.m. as temperatures dipped into the 40s. The first to make three trips around the park for the 5K were Chris Finley, Jace Jenkins, Grady Jenkins and Jennifer Windham.
Run for Environment winners: First place was Chris Finley, pictured center back row. Second and third were Jace Jenkins, left, and his son 11-year-old Grady Jenkins. First overall female was Jennifer Windham, right.
See Race results.
The fest officially opened with a Native American prayer led by Gregory Gomez, from the Indigenous Institute of the Americas, followed by a Native Indian Drum ceremony that drew audience members in a circle dance.
Speakers throughout the day included architect and Memnosyne board member Tania Rodriguez, who spoke about green habitat development, along with Memnosyne advisor Lawrence Bloom, who spoke on the UN’s sustainable goals and Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk, founder of the Memnosyne Institute.
In addition, a myriad of globally inspired musical entertainers throughout the afternoon added to the inclusive ambiance of the fest.
Meanwhile, more than 130 green vendors, nonprofits and artisans hawked their wares and passed out literature to curious attendees, eager to learn how to ramp up their green lifestyle. The crowd was upbeat, despite the boisterous Texas spring weather that had tents swaying and hats flying at times.
“Mother Nature sent us a reminder with her strong cool winds that she was there,” said Coke Buchanan, coorganizer of the event. “She gifted us with a delightful afternoon.”
He said feedback he received was positive for the event, which was in its 11th year since 2007 after being cancelled last year.
“It validated the value of Oak Cliff Earth Day as a unique and important thread in the fabric of the community.”
More pics! Photos by Andrea Ridout.
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