FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Earth Day Mobile Bay returns to Fairhope on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., and admission is free. The 2007 celebration was held in Spanish Fort, but all events this year will take place at both the north and south sides of Fairhope Pier Park.

The 18th annual area celebration was inspired by the worldwide Earth Day Network, which promotes environmental citizenship and steers environmental awareness around the world.

Planned are a variety of interactive environmental and educational activities for children and adults. Earth Day spokesperson Tanys Waldron said there will truly be something for everyone.

“Earth Day was established to help teach people about the environment, and how to make the world a better place,” she said. “It’s all about taking small steps.”

One example, she said, is recycling. More people than ever are recycling, and you can do so during Earth Day. The city of Fairhope will be on hand to accept electronics such as computers and televisions for recycling; Daphne Utilities will offer to recycle used cooking oil; and Baldwin County will take cardboard, aluminum and plastic off your hands during the event.

The south side of the park will host environmental displays, including a green building project with a plant-covered roof from Benchmark Homes and a Restoration Green project. These exhibits will provide visitors an opportunity to observe how our resources can best be used to provide a cleaner and safer environment.

Nearly 75 exhibitors and vendors will be there to give demonstrations and show off the latest environmentally friendly products. Waldron said, “Everybody has something to offer that will make the world a healthier place.”

Perhaps the latest product to come down the pike and gain popularity is the energy efficient, compact fluorescent bulb. Many are using them because they save energy and last longer.

“Every little bit of power we do not use is saved,” she said. “If you save money out of a budget, down the road you have more.”

There will also be a Regional Environmental Science Project Exhibition, bringing together middle and high school students from the area. In fact, many interactive activities and displays are geared to the younger set, Waldron said, adding children are known to influence their parents when it comes to making positive change.

“Kids nagging their parents to stop smoking never would have happened in our time frame,” she said, referring to the Baby Boomer generation and beyond. Educational forums such as Earth Day and in-school lessons are gradually turning the tide when it comes to youth awareness of contemporary environmental problems.

The Baldwin County Master Gardeners will lead guided nature walks around the park during the celebration, Waldron said. Trees will be identified, the history of native species will be discussed and the risk of invasive plants, such as kudzu, will be explored. She explained, “We try to make our information more relevant.”

Local potters and painters will display their work throughout the day, and the League of Women Voters will offer onsite and mail-in voter registration to all eligible residents.

Live music will begin at noon. The performers include The Baldwin Pops French Horn Group, Floyd Morrell on keyboards, Muskrat Hannah, The Billy Sunday Band, and Grayson Capps and the Stumpknockers.

On the north side of the park, search and rescue dog demonstrations will begin at 3 p.m., and the popular Blessing of the Animals, with three Eastern Shore clergy members, will take place at 2.

Animal lovers will also be able to meet pets from three area pet adoption agencies that are looking for permanent homes, and animals from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo (Animal Planet’s “The Little Zoo That Could”) will be there.

“It’s important that people are interested in our environment,” Waldron said. “You can come to Earth Day and have fun without using natural resources. If people are happy, the world is a better place.”

Free parking for the 2008 Earth Day Mobile Bay will be available in the Bruno’s, Big Lots and Winn Dixie shopping centers. Earth Day shuttle buses from BRATS will provide free transportation to and from those lots all day.

For more information about Earth Day, visit www.earthdaymobilebay.org.