Save the Date!! Maple Ridge’s Celebrate Earth Day festival is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am to 2pm at Memorial Peace Park in the heart of Maple Ridge.
“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” -Howard Thurman
The 2026 Earth Day Festival encourages you to reach out and reConnect with the people, places, and activities you love. Maybe it’s two seconds to look away from the screen and appreciate where you are and who you’re with. Maybe it’s two minutes to phone or email an old friend or loved one or listen to a favourite song. Maybe it’s two hours to walk, hike, bike, or drive around a place that’s filled with memories. Maybe it’s two weeks of rediscovering an activity or taking a class and rekindling feelings that make your heart sing. Whatever it is, don’t wait. ReConnect and reawaken. The world needs you.
The Earth Day Poetry & Photo Contests are open NOW! Submit your poem, flash fiction, short video, or photos on this year’s reConnect theme for your chance to win great prizes and be featured in the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows NEWS. Deadline for entries is midnight on March 31, 2026. Select winners may be invited to share their work at Earth Day on April 18.
Celebrate Earth Day 2026 welcomes all community groups, environmental groups, green businesses, and residents to be part of our event! Sign up to have an interactive booth or activity, volunteer and meet other awesome people, or audition to be one of our performers.
Participant, Performer, & Volunteer registration forms available online at www.mrearthday.ca[clear]
If this will be your first Earth Day, don’t miss these always-popular activities:
FAMILY FREECYCLE:
In preparation for the Family Freecycle, coordinators will be collecting donations of gently used books, toys, and clothing, including at a drop-off event from 5-7pm on Friday, April 17, the night before Earth Day, in front of the Leisure Centre. All items collected are sorted into sizes and categories, set out on tables in the Leisure Centre, and given away at the Earth Day event. We live in an abundant society – most people have too much “stuff” and are more than happy to give it away. Declutter your home then come to find something NEW to YOU! Want to volunteer with Freecycle? Email EDfreecycle@rmrs.mattseligman.com [clear]CYCLE RECYCLE FREE BIKE DRAW:
At the Cycle Recycle, the local HUB Cycling group collects secondhand bikes, fixes them up, and gives them away in a free bike draw at Earth Day at 1:00pm. Many of the bikes were destined for the scrap heap at the Recycling Depot and HUB helps get both the bikes and residents back on the road.[clear]
ELECTRIC VEHICLE DISPLAY & DEMONSTRATIONS:
Learn more about why the future is electric. Members of the Vancouver Electric Vehicle Association are more than happy to tell you about the different kinds of electric vehicles and you may even be able to go for a ride in an electric car!! If you are thinking of buying an electric vehicle, come and ask them all your questions![clear]FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL:
Come hungry! The Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival staff have rounded up food trucks to satisfy your sweet, savoury, and any other hunger needs!
REPAIR CAFE:
Got broken stuff? Bring it to the Maple Ridge Repair Cafe, organized by Ridge Meadows Recycling Society, and learn how to fix it for FREE! Experienced Fixers will be on hand to assist with the repair or offer advice on all your sewing, electrical, carpentry, jewellery, or bike repair needs. Glue, tape, tools, sewing machines and more are available to use and TINKERbell Station will be set up for kids to get hands-on with tools, take stuff apart & learn how it works, build original creations, or just tinker! Want to just come check us out? No problem! Come have a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy the magic of repair.[clear]PLUS!! Facepainting, TWO live music stages, roving performers, a Ukelele Flash Mob, a Nature Mandala, Maple Ridge Climate Hub’s Climate Champion Awards, Poetry & Photo Contest winners announced at the Welcoming Ceremonies, and we celebrate National Volunteer Week!
Visit our Facebook page or www.mrearthday.ca
