Missoula rings in Earth Day

Saying the environment is very important to Missoula residents is nothing new. And how better to celebrate Earth Day than with festivals? Three, to be exact, will help kick off the first day of Earth Week this Saturday. 

In Caras Park, get ready to rock out to Reverend Slanky during the “Best Dam Party” in honor of the Milltown Dam removal.

“It’s a party to thank the community for their hard work,” said Karen Knudsen, executive director of the Clark Fork Coalition. “We’re celebrating this being the first time the Blackfoot and the Clark Fork have flowed together in 100 years.”

She said it wasn’t hard to decide which band should celebrate the momentous event.

“Reverend Slanky is one of Missoula’s most popular bands, and we wanted to make this fun for the vast majority of Missoulians.”

Before the party, people are encouraged to get their hands dirty at the fifth annual River Cleanup, starting in Caras Park at 10 a.m. Afterwards, there will be a free barbecue for participants. Reverend Slanky will take the stage at 7 p.m., and food vendors and New Belgium Brewery will have refreshments available.

If river restoration doesn’t sound like fun, then the Festival of Cycles might be more your speed.

“Building bikes is a lot more comfortable in the grass,” said Bob Giordano, coordinator for Free Cycles, explaining why his event is at Bonner Park instead of Caras.

And building bikes is what the festival is about. Several hundred bikes will be available for free, along with tools and volunteers who know how to use them.

“Some people build bikes to ride, some build them for art,” Giordano said. “Whatever you feel like.”

The 11th annual event will feature Travelon Gamelon: Performance for Amplified Bicycles, which is a soundwork performance by artist Richard Lerman.

Part of the Missoula Art Museum anniversary, “soundwork” means Lerman will play a variety of music throughout the afternoon, hooking his microphone to bike frames to use them as amplifiers.

Also playing at the park will be bluegrass band Rich and Rare, and Shane Clouse from Stomping Ground.

But if you just want to dance, head over to the Union Hall for the Earth Service Day dance from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The dance will feature easy-to-learn folk dances and old-time fiddle music by the Parlor Pickers.

According to the Missoula Folklore Society, all the dances are instructed, with no experience or partners needed. Cost is $8 for public, $6 for MFS members & Earth Service Day workers. Children get in free.