Virtual event features sustainable crafts and Indigenous performances

Surrey, B.C. – Presented by TD Bank Group, Party for the Planet returns virtually for its 10th annual event on Thursday, April 22, 2021.

The livestream will feature environmental education from departments across the City, including urban forestry, park partnerships, sustainability, culture services, engineering, waste collection services and recycling. The livestream will be hosted by Neal Aven, Manager of Parks for the City of Surrey.

“Virtual Party for the Planet will showcase the City’s environmental initiatives and commitments in an engaging and inclusive way,” said Neal Aven, Party for the Planet event host. “The virtual event will demonstrate our City’s resilience to combat climate change and promote environmental stewardship through our many programs and services.”

The livestream will feature a variety of videos highlighting the collaboration between sustainability and art such as: Museum of Surrey’s Nature’s Clothesline Exhibit; how to make crafts using re-used materials with the Surrey Art Gallery; sustainably themed Public Art installations; and how to make a button blanket and cloth canoe with LaDonna Wiks Joseph.

The show will also feature Indigenous performances by the Stars of the North Drum Group, Wild Moccasin Dancers, Andrea Menard, Wayne Lavallee and Candace Curr.

Party for the Planet is offering many opportunities for residents to enter to win prizes to local and sustainable businesses. Residents can post a photo of their 99 Nursery and Florist Gardening Kits in the Party for the Planet virtual photo booth for a chance to win a $200 gift card to Central City Shopping Centre.

The livestream will offer a chance to win prizes from a variety of virtual Sustainable Marketplace vendors including eco-friendly bath & body, aromatherapy, and outdoor adventure packages.

Party for the Planet will offer themed colouring sheets, paint by numbers pictures and an Earth Day scavenger hunt for viewers to complete on Earth Day. For more information visit surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet, facebook.com/partyfortheplanet or instagram.com/surreybcevents.

Surrey, B.C. – Presented by TD Bank Group, the City of Surrey will host the tenth annual Party for the Planet event virtually on Thursday, April 22 at 5:00 p.m. hosted on Facebook and YouTube Live.

The broadcast will feature environmental education for all ages through virtual workshops, informational videos about Surrey’s sustainable initiatives, music, dance, children’s performances, and Indigenous programming.

The livestream will include a yoga workshop, interactive gardening tips and an Earth Day scavenger hunt. This year’s performers include The Zolas, Andrea Menard, IAMTHELIVING and Teon Gibbs, Glass Forest, Wild Moccasin Dancers and Bobs & Lolo.

The virtual event will also kick off the Surrey Love Where You Live initiative encouraging residents to take part in neighbourhood cleanups and other activities to help keep their city clean and beautiful.

“Party for the Planet is Surrey’s premier event celebrating nature and raising awareness of how to better care for our environment,” said Mayor Doug McCallum.

“Not only is there plenty of fun and entertainment, but Party for the Planet also helps shine a light on the climate change emergency. This annual event aligns with Council’s commitment to keep Surrey as a leader of green initiatives and programs in Canada.”

"As we look toward recovery during a year unlike any other, TD continues to advance environmental sustainability as an integral part of our business," said Andrew Cribb, Senior Vice President and Pacific Region Head, Branch Banking at TD.

"We are proud to be a long-time supporter of Party for the Planet and look forward to joining the City of Surrey for the virtual festivities to honour Earth Day this April."

Party for the Planet will also offer limited free craft and gardening kits to viewers, encouraging residents to share photos for a chance to win prizes. Residents can pick up free Downtown Surrey BIA environmental kid’s craft kits from Central City Shopping Centre, and native pollinator gardening kits from 99 Nursery and Florist on March 31, 2021.

Party for Planet will also mark the launch of another major tree sale event, one of six public tree sale events planned by the city in 2021 to be held from April 23rd to May 8th enabling payment and pickup of discounted $20 trees paid for online through the City’s MYSURREY account and later picked up at the Surrey Operations Centre.