Celebrate Earth Day at the Peoria Park District’s Forest Park Nature Center on Saturday, April 20, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Nature Center’s 9th annual Earth Day Festival offers an opportunity to locate local resources, identify environmentally-friendly products and learn what you can do to make a difference. Last year, approximately 1,200-1,500 people attended our festival, which included more than 40 local groups and 100 volunteers. It’s sure to be a good time too — with music from the following groups:

11:00 AM – 12:45 PM — Patchouli
Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli are a songwriting powerhouse duo with 12 CDs, more than 1800 performances, and over half a million touring miles under their belts. Bruce’s primary instrument is acoustic guitar, on which he plays fingerstyle, flamenco, classical, jazz, flat picking and folk. He also plays bass guitar and percussion on stage. Julie plays multiple instruments including six and twelve-string guitars, upright bass marimbas, flutes and hand drums. Their contagious onstage chemistry coupled with formidable instrumental prowess has made them a favorite nationwide. Patchouli’s music has been heard in films and performed on TV, and their music can be heard on radio around the world.

1:00 – 1:45 PM— The LR Band
The word eclectic says it best as the LR Band plays some folk tunes, some finger picking blues, some old pop, or whatever grabs their fancy. With Craig Curtis playing mandolin, banjo and guitar, you’re sure to be tapping your toes to some rhythms you know.

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM — Reilly’s Daughter
Chris Mangold of Slim Pickins’ and Inland Tern goes solo to provide a variety of Celtic tunes that will have everyone feeling the Earth Day vibe!