Springfield's third annual Earth Day Festival to host national headliner Langhorne Slim
A treat for the ears and eyes, Springfield's third annual Earth Day Festival welcomes its first national headlining act this year.
Springfield's Earth Day Festival is 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Jordan Valley Park. This year's headliner is Americana singer-songwriter Langhorne Slim.
Earth Day Festival President Molly Healey said Langhorne Slim is the festival's first national headliner who is not from Springfield. The festival's inaugural headliner was the Hillbenders and last year, The Ozark Mountain Daredevils performed at the festival pro bono. Healey said the festival worked with a booking agent to secure Langhorne Slim's performance.
Who is performing at the festival?
In addition to Langhorne Slim, who will take the stage at 6:30 p.m., the Earth Day Festival will feature two music stages with the following acts:
Rochara Knight and The Honey Doves from 12-12:30 p.m. (main stage)
Dallas Jones at 1 p.m. (acoustic stage)
Molly Healey String Project from 1:30-2 p.m. (main stage)
Patti Steel at 2:30 p.m. (acoustic stage)
National Park Radio from 3-3:30 p.m. (main stage)
The Shandies at 4 p.m. (acoustic stage)
Ha Ha Tonka from 4:30-5 p.m. (main stage)
Brandon Moore & Friends at 5:30 p.m. (acoustic stage)
Ahead of Langhorne Slim's performance, Bo Brown, owner of First Earth Wilderness School, will speak at 6:15 p.m. on the main stage.
Throughout the entire day, Springfield Aerial Fitness will be performing at the festival, as they have the last two years, and local artist Garrett Melby will be conducting live painting.
What food, drinks will be available at the festival?
Food trucks Not'cho Ordinary Taco, The Crêpe Shack and N'Joy Thai Streetfood will be at the festival. Mother's Brewing Company and The Coffee Ethic will also be on-site serving beverages.
Founded in 2022, Springfield's Earth Day Festival is a plastic-free music and sustainability festival. In addition to live music and art, the festival benefits three local nonprofits each year. To date, the festival has raised more than $50,000, Healey said. This year's beneficiaries are the James River Basin Partnership, Greater Ozarks Audubon Society and River Access Coalition.
For the first time, Healey said the festival's beneficiaries were chosen based on an application process. Previously, beneficiaries were selected by the festival's team, but with an increase of interest, an application was implemented. This year's three beneficiaries were the only ones to apply, which worked "perfectly," Healey said.
What is available for kids?
New this year, the Earth Day Festival will have a kid's tent, featuring a story time corner, arts and crafts, and a musical petting zoo, Healey said.
Hop on a bike ahead of the festival
In collaboration with Springfield Brewing Company Athletics, the Earth Day Festival is hosting a free bike ride before the festival starts. The ride, called Earth Day Ride for All, starts at 9 a.m. at Jordan Valley Park. 50-mile and 20-mile rides are available for participants, and all ages are welcome to join in. A children's ride will also be held around Jordan Valley Park, starting at 10 a.m. All children who participate will receive a free root beer float.
For more information about Earth Day Ride for All, visiting the Earth Day Festival website.
Here's how to purchase tickets
Tickets for the Earth Day Festival are available in advance on the festival's website at earthdayspringfieldmo.org/tickets or day-of.
General admission tickets are $50 and VIP tickets are $75, which includes access to a VIP tent, an area close to the main stage and a refillable, commemorative water bottle. Tickets purchased online are subject to a $5 fee. Children 12 and under get into the festival for free.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Langhorne Slim to headline Springfield's 3rd annual Earth Day Festival
