16th Annual Summit for the Planet Earth Day Festival

From barn owls and bearded dragons to California kingsnakes and turkey vultures, the opportunity to get up close to wildlife is an attraction at the annual Summit for the Planet Earth Day Festival 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23, at Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Road, Watsonville, 2.5 miles off of Hwy. 152. Admission is free.

The summit celebrating Earth Day begins with a 5K family hike through the redwoods, and features an eco-carnival, Mount Madonna Stables pony rides, face painting, a “trash fashion” show, model solar car races, activities, music and tasty food. Birds, reptiles and amphibians will be on hand, courtesy of the Bay Area Herpetological Society and Wildlife Education Rehabilitation Center.

Hike registration begins at 9 a.m.; the hike starts at 10 a.m., with music and the eco-carnival starting at 11 a.m.

With its spotlight on environmental education, the Summit for the Planet festival has grown to some 500 people of all ages from south Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

For more information visit: SummitforthePlanet.org.