Hundreds of children came to Cesar Chavez Park to learn about the environment at today's Earth Day Celebration.

Now in its 40th year, Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental sit-in. Today, the annual event is celebrated nationwide with a various activities.

In Chavez Park, children were taught gardening techniques, took an exercise challenge, played games, and watched a magic show. Radio Disney also provided an interactive performance focusing on the environment, all with a surprise visit from Wun "The Shot" Versher from the Harlem Globetrotters.

Radio Disney's act was followed by a performance by the Fall of "X", though this did not stop the kids from getting on stage and showing their own moves.

Over thirty vendors were stationed in the park for visitors commuting to and from lunch.

The celebration stretched across the street to City Hall Plaza, where V101.1 FM provided a radio simulcast of the event and interviews with City Councilmembers. Vendors included various departments from the City of Sacramento, the State of California, and other municipalities operating within Sacramento County.

Children visiting City Hall Plaza were able to play in a fire truck and a police car, and pick up popcorn from a snack station. Others were able to pick up coffee provided by Starbucks.

Today's event was sponsored by the Mayor and City Council, and operated by the City of Sacramento Neighborhood Services Department. Additional support was provided by staff from Sacramento START (Americorp).