Iowa City holds second Climate Fest this week

The Iowa City Climate Fest is back. After launching virtually last year, the festival’s second year will celebrate climate action with virtual and outdoor events today through Friday.

The festival will celebrate all the ways Iowa City residents, businesses and organizations are taking action to address climate change.

The six-day event will feature distinct programs and themes for each day, including:

• Virtual activities like a Zoom presentation on the City’s Climate Action and Outreach Plan today, and a video featuring the Climate Action @ Work Award winners released Tuesday.

• An outdoor FilmScene screening and discussion of the documentary “The Falconer” at Chauncey Swan Park from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

• An opportunity to help paint a mural celebrating composting and healthy soils on the outer wall of the recycling and organics truck facility, 1306 S Gilbert Court, on Thursday.

• A climate action family-friendly celebration at Willow Creek Park with food and music from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday.

• An EV Car Show at Lower City Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Residents also will have a chance to have their own climate action stories recorded at a storytelling booth at the Wednesday and Friday events, where they can share what they do to address climate change, why it matters to them, and what others can do to help inspire great climate action.

Activities throughout the Climate Fest will follow daily themes related to the Iowa City Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.

A complete schedule of the daily activities can be found on the event website, icgov.org/ClimateFest. Throughout the festival, stories and activities also will be shared on City social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Nextdoor and Instagram.

The safety of residents is a top priority. Attendees at Climate Fest events are asked to practice social distancing at in-person events and to wear a mask. Some in-person events may be rescheduled to an online or virtual format as COVID conditions change.

More information can be found on the event page or by calling organizer Sarah Gardner at sarah-gardner@iowa-city.org or (319) 356-6162.