More than 2,000 people showed up to party and pick up over 1,000 pounds of trash on Hollywood beach on Saturday as part of the second annual Earth Day “Free Our Seas and Beyond, Environmental Art Festival,” organizers said.
“Oh, it’s a huge success,” said Free Our Seas executive director Manon Wiese. “I’m so happy everyone came out to celebrate Earth Day with us.”
The event began with a beach cleanup between 9-11 a.m. near the historic Carpenter House at Hollywood’s North Beach Park, 4414 N. Surf Road.
The festivities continued through the afternoon with free family-friendly activities that included live music, games for kids, sand sculptures, a variety of food trucks, more than 30 environmentally friendly vendors, a nonprofit ocean conservation zone, and community art exhibits.
“The exhibits are made entirely of ocean debris, which gives a powerful visual of how everyday choices impact the environment,” said Free Our Seas board member Lillie Carlson.
Besides the usual collection of cigarette butts and bottle caps, Wiese said there are always some unique finds during a beach cleanup.
“There were a lot of broken beach chairs left behind, plenty of plastic water bottles, and I think there was a bicycle wheel,” she said.
But Wiese believes the Earth Day message is sinking in.
“I think one act of change from single-use water bottles to reusable water bottles can make a huge difference,” she said. “And, I think if everybody is making a change one item at a time it will create an equal impact on our environment.”
wkroustan@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4303 or Twitter @WayneRoustan
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