Peace on Earth Day

Columbia celebrates 25 years of showing Mother Earth some love.

Mizzou's Peace Park opened to the community Sunday for the 25th-anniversary celebration of Columbia Area Earth Day. In the park and on surrounding side streets, attendees enjoyed live music, dance performances, kids' activities, artisan crafts and food, as well as educational booths stocked with sustainability information.

They might have even hugged a tree or two. (Tigers love trees.)

Mary Ellen Kirk shows off her flower crown while singing for those in the audience.

Mary Ellen Kirk shows off her flower crown while singing for the audience.

Student worker at MU sustainability office (talking to woman, sitting on chair behind table full of plants): Jenna Nelsen-McMichael

Jenna Nelsen-McMichael, a student worker in the MU Sustainability Office, talks to a passer-by about plants.

Aadil Naushad in a dunk tank.

Mizzou student Aadil Naushad takes a plunge at the dunk tank as part of the Alpha Tau Omega Tigers Standing Strong with Autism Festival, which coincided with the Earth Day celebration in Peace park.

Owl.

A great horned owl from Mizzou's Raptor Rehabilitation Project poses for a portrait.

Festival-goers enjoy the beautiful 60-degree weather and the wind blowing in their hair.

Festival-goers enjoy the beautiful 60-degree weather and the wind blowing in their hair.

Festival goers crowd the merchant booths at Peace Park during Earth Day.

Festival-goers crowd the merchant booths at Peace Park during Earth Day.

Missouri Legacy Beef rancher Mark Mahnken grills up some meat.

Missouri Legacy Beef rancher Mark Mahnken grills up some meat.

Eric and Joanna Reuter of Chert Hallow Farm explain a plot of land to Brandon Smith.

Eric and Joanna Reuter of Chert Hallow Farm describe a plot of land to Brandon Smith.

Children in blue shirts drumming: Grant Elementary 4-5th grade drum ensemble

Children from Grant Elementary School's drum ensemble keep the beat going at Earth Day.

Sutu Forte plays the piano and sings in a performance of "It's Our Wild Nature."

Sutu Forté plays the piano and sings in a performance of "It's Our Wild Nature."

John D'Agostino plays the banjo.

John D'Agostino plays the banjo.

Ming (father) and Kevin Wu practice using stilts.

Ming (father) and Kevin Wu practice using stilts.

Artist Claudia Larsen paints the face of Sofia White.

Artist Claudia Larsen paints the face of Sofia White.

Raven Wolf C. Felton Jennings II entertains the crowd with music he performs on his drum.

Raven Wolf C. Felton Jennings II entertains the crowd with music he performs on his drum.

Young fairy Beatrice Lookingbill clutches her mother's side.

Young fairy Beatrice Lookingbill clutches her mother's side.

William Matthews pets a black lab puppy.

William Matthews pets a black lab puppy.

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