Sacramento weekend guide: Earth Day clean ups, Doggy Dash or hike and a bike rodeo

This weekend kicks off with Earth Day, a yearly holiday that celebrates the environmental movement and raises awareness of ecological sustainability.

It’s a day to show your love to the planet, the outdoors and maybe make a difference in your community too. And Sacramento has events for you to do just that.

Here are some local activities for the weekend of April 22 to April 24.

Friday

Immerse yourself in nature at a national park or local trail

Multiple locations

Appreciate what planet Earth has to offer by hiking, camping or picnicking at a national park or local trail. You can find a park to your liking on the National Park Service website or pick a scenic local trail.

Saturday

Join the Great Sacramento Clean-Up

Multiple locations

Sacramento is hosting a citywide clean-up day at nine different parks, streets and waterways on Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Among the locations, residents can choose to pick up litter at Morrison Creek, Hagginwood Park, Matsui Park, and Elvas Avenue and 65th Street.

Volunteer spaces are limited. You can find more information and sign up online on the HandsOn Sacramento website.

Clean up the American River Parkway at the Spring Clean-Up

Multiple locations

Back after a two-year hiatus, American River Parkway Foundation is hosting its spring clean-up. Volunteers can choose from eight locations along the American River Parkway and pick up trash from 9 a.m. to noon.

Locations include Discovery Park, Cal Expo, Howe Avenue and River Bend Park. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, however, some sites will be reserved for individuals 18 and up only.

You can find more information about clean-up locations, specific addresses, requirements and how to register to volunteer on the ARPF website.

Let your pup have a field day at the Doggy Dash

3800 Land Park Drive, Sacramento

Take your dog to William Land Park for the 29th Annual Sacramento SPCA Doggy Dash, the organization’s largest yearly fundraiser.

You and your dog can take a 2K/5K Walk to support animals in need. Individual walkers can register online for $35, or you can create or join a team for $45.

Attendees can also enjoy vendor booths, contests and activities, such a doggy peanut butter eating contest, cutest dog contest, costume contest and Bark in the Park Festival.

Take a bike ride at the Breath Bike Rodeo

495 Garden St, West Sacramento

Have a bike ride with your family and learn about the benefits of bicycling at the First Annual Breath Bike Rodeo. The free event features helmet fittings, safety demos, giveaways and activities.

Learn about Earth Day at the Aerospace Museum of California

3200 Freedom Park Drive, McClellan

Enjoy Earth Day crafts and activities at the Aerospace Museum of California, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

General admission is $15; students ages 4 to 7, seniors over 65, veterans and teachers are $10. Kids 3 and under are free.

See the parade at UC Davis’ Picnic Day

One Shields Avenue, Davis

UC Davis is hosting its 108th annual Picnic Day, which is said to be the largest student-run event in the country. People of all ages can attend and enjoy a parade, live entertainment and a smorgasbord of food options — from baklava, Turkish coffee and kabobs to wings, tacos and Hawaiian fried chicken.

Depending on some events, attendees will have to show an approved UC Davis COVID Daily Symptom Survey to enter. Non-students and staff may also be required to show a negative COVID test from within 72 hours or proof of vaccination.

For more information about Picnic Day, see the UC Davis website.

Sunday

Celebrate Sacramento Earth Day at Southside Park

2115 6th Street, Sacramento

This year’s Sacramento Earth Day’s theme is “In This Together” and will feature more than 100 organizations and businesses spreading awareness on how to live sustainably.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be plant-based food vendors, local art displays, live music and interactive educational games for kids.

If you plan on going to the free festival, you get a free ride from Sacramento Regional Transit or use the free valet for your bicycle. You can find more information about event and free rides online.

This story was originally published April 21, 2022 at 11:57 AM.