A coalition of marchers 130 strong wearing paper mache animal masks paraded to the beat of a drum in Chintimini Park in Corvallis for Planet Palooza, an event on Saturday, April 20 committed to celebrating Earth Day and the sustainability efforts of Corvallis.

The event, which lasted the afternoon, consisted of live music, an author room, an art show and solutions fair in addition to the parade. Beating the drum and leading the parade with a pink flamingo atop his head was Erik Olson, one of the organizers of Planet Palooza.

According to Olson, who also teaches at Ashbrook Independent School, years prior had seen Planet Palooza held in an entirely outdoor venue. This year, Planet Palooza had the Corvallis Community Center at Chintimini Park, in and around which a multitude of tables were set up for the event’s solutions fair. 

The goal of the fair, according to Olson, was to inspire ideas in those of all ages who attend the event. Participation was not restrictive, with organizations being able to freely apply to take part in the solutions fair.

Among the tabling participants was Dan Blanchard, Oregon State University Instructor and Curator of Living Plant Collections at OSU. Blanchard’s masters project was to get the OSU campus accredited as an arboretum, and is responsible for identifying numerous species of plant life on the campus with scannable identifying labels.

Also present was Chintimini Wildlife Center, a wildlife rehabilitation center. Behind the table with a snake draped over her neck was Heather Gibons, who was busy introducing fairgoers to Powder the Corn Snake, an animal ambassador for the center located in Corvallis.

Jim Holm, co-leader of the Corvallis chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby was also present to explain the group’s efforts, including how last June approximately 1,000 members went to Washington D.C. to lobby for sustainable legislation. “We need people to come together and advocate for action,” Holm said.

Dr. David Lewis, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies at OSU, was also invited to give a talk concerning his new book Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley, a compilation of 25 years worth of research on Lewis’ part.

Stepping outside, attendees were treated to live music by groups Cucunandy and Wild Hog in the Woods. Wild Hog in the Woods have played at Planet Palooza since 2005, and when asked what keeps them coming back, group member John Simonds remarked, “we’re having fun.”

Manning a table outside near the live music were Jesse Ott, Interim Executive Director of Benton County Natural Areas, Parks and Events and Ellen Tappon, President of the Alliance for Recreation and Natural Areas. Ott and Tappon explained to attendees how a boardwalk in the Jackson Frazier Wetland in Corvallis was built 30 years ago by volunteers, and that the boardwalk in the park frequented by the community would soon need replacing.

The march returned to the community center at approximately 4:24 pm, to Olson’s drum beat. Strong winds did not deter the event’s end, with Olson remarking that previous years Planet Palooza was held amidst a hail storm. “We’re Oregonians,” Olson said. “It doesn’t stop us.”

Olson plans to continue organizing Planet Palooza in the years to come.