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31st Earth Fair draws thousands of visitors to Balboa Park

The largest free annual environmental event in the world is put together by 300 volunteers.

SAN DIEGO — It's the 31st Earth Fair and each year, it draws thousands of visitors.

"We are here to spread love and knowledge and share the good gifts of Mother Earth with everyone," said Grace Schmallz, Coastal Sage Gardening and Botany for Kids. 

John Noble, owner of Coastal Sage Gardening and Founder of Botany for Kids, says he has been to the Earth Fair every year since it started. 

"We have seeds here from a local company and we have artwork and then, one of the big things we do is landscape design work. We also have a selection of hexagons! Hexagons are the best-a-gons!," said Noble.

Their group is joining more than 200 other exhibitors. The largest free annual environmental event in the world is put together by 300 volunteers. It includes three international food courts, two beer gardens, a children’s activity area, and entertainment stages. 

Don Hall and his colorful pup are soaking it all in. 

"Every Earth Day they have I'm here!," says Hall. 

It’s a time for visitors to learn how to live a more sustainable life while supporting a clean and healthy environment; something that the Coastal Sage gardening group is already happy to incorporate in their everyday lives. 

"Everyone needs to figure out what to do every single day for less pollution. It's really challenging, like whether to use a paper bag or plastic bag. Even us being here has taken fossil fuel transportation to get here. Everyday we have to be challenged to make the planet healthier," said Noble.

"We want to nurture with Earth and most importantly, nurture yourself. We are all coming together and sharing feelings and sharing how beautiful this environment is and surround us with beautiful energy and beautiful vibes," said Schmallz. 

The Earth Fair goal is to be a zero-waste event, meaning that everything that is discarded is either recycled, reused or composted. 

WATCH RELATED: Creek to Bay Clean-Up 20th anniversary (April 2022).

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