Southwest Louisiana is invited to celebrate the Earth this weekend with art, music and action.

Earth Fest is a two-day festival celebrating local artistry, live music and environmental sustainability. Hosted by Grateful Dave’s Foundation, a local non-profit focused on sponsoring live music and community-based events, the festival offers two days of fun that highlight environmental causes.

The inaugural Earth Fest starts with the Kick-off Party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday. With a $15 cover charge, guests can listen to performances by the Iceman Special, The Quadroholics, and Secret Stash. The Friday night party will also feature a DJ and three vendors.

Entry is free for Saturday’s main festival day. Bands will play from 2 p.m. until midnight; Bands Zach Edwards, Cats & Aliens, Cadillac Possum, Secret Stache, Boom Boom and DeboRidBeau Trio are on the lineup.

The 700 block of Ryan Street will be sectioned off for the 10 participating vendors and dining seating. Heather Chehotsky, the foundation’s events coordinator, said to exemplify the “positive, laid-back atmosphere of downtown Lake Charles,” festival goers will be able to eat outside and hear the performances.

The festival is also an opportunity for everybody to unite to celebrate Earth Day, Chehotsky said.

She said it was the right time to “do something joyful and purposeful.” They chose to fulfill this by bringing awareness to environmental initiatives in the area.

Chehotsky said they were inspired by Tanner Broussard, who is a graduating senior majoring in natural resource conservation and management. In addition to his plan to earn a Master of Science in environmental and chemical sciences, he is the McNeese State University Wildlife Club president, a member of Ducks Unlimited and the Southwest Louisiana Master Naturalists.

“Conservation is important to preserve critical ecosystem functions like air and water purification, soil fertility and climate stability,” he said. “I’ve always had a passion for the outdoors and wildlife, so that led me towards conservation. Carnivore conservation is especially important to me as they’re an often vilified group, despite being essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems.”

He said his research is in collaboration with the Wolf Conservation Center. He is conducting studies on coyote ecology in Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Broussard’s vocal advocacy on ecological issues like conservation and recycling called the foundation to action.

“Him doing all the stuff he does has really helped us learn more about why conservation is important,”  Chehotsky said. “Just that one person telling us about the reasons why we should care about conservation has made an impact on all of our lives.”

The two most prevalent issues they are focused on are conservation and recycling. She explained that they tried to connect with as many local eco-focused operations as possible, including recycling options, but could not find many. She hopes Earth Fest will inspire more partnerships with ecological causes for future events.

“The reality is we don’t have real recycling here in Lake Charles. … I truly hope we can move toward as a community in the future.

“Even if it’s just to start the conversation for next year’s event. Earth Fest is about building something meaningful and we want more voices at the table moving forward.”