Looking for a place that would symbolize ethnic unity, the Southern Florida Greens turned to Wingfield Street in Lake Worth to stage a multicultural Earth Day celebration on Sunday.
"It's very symbolic for us, because we are holding it in an area that's been historically abused and neglected," said Javier Del Sol, a member of the Greens, who helped organize the celebration set for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Osborne Community Center, 1699 Wingfield St.
A concrete wall that still extends along Wingfield Street once separated blacks from whites in the south end of Lake Worth, Del Sol said.
But the area around the wall has grown more ethnically diverse, and both sides "have a good relationship going on," said Anna Jean Marshall, vice president of Citizens on Task, a group of citizen activists in that neighborhood.
Citizens on Task is co-sponsoring the Earth Day gala with the Greens, a group that advocates ecological wisdom, nonviolence, peace and justice. Both groups sent notices of the celebration to ethnic clubs, churches and other organizations in Palm Beach County and are hoping for a large turnout.
The event is free.
Under the theme "One People, One Planet," it will feature live music, crafts, noncompetitive games for children and adults, storytelling, puppet shows and videos on the history of the civil rights movement and environment, Del Sol said.
Lake Worth High School's drama club plans to perform a skit on racism called "Mistaken Identity."
Among other entertainment, organizers have lined up a Ukrainian bandore player and two West Palm Beach youth choirs -- the Martin Luther King Jr. Generation Youth Choir and the Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church Youth Choir.
"There's so many people plugged in -- it's a whole community effort," Del Sol said.
Families can bring their own lunches, but food and beverage vendors will be on hand. Wholly Harvest, a nature food store, will supply vegetarian food and the South Florida Chinese Culture Association, stir-fry dishes, Del Sol said.
People may browse through information booths set up by environmental and cultural groups or take advantage of a baseball field and basketball and volleyball courts between the community center and a nearby police substation.
EARTH DAY
About the multicultural event:
-- WHEN: Sunday, 11 a.m to 4 p.m.
-- WHERE: Osborne Community Center, 1699 Wingfield St., Lake Worth.
-- WHO: Sponsored by the Citizens on Task and the Southern Florida Greens.
-- FEATURES: Live music, vegetarian food, crafts and games, videos of the civil rights movement, a peaceful resolution display and booths on environmental concerns.
-- INFORMATION: Call 407-533-5287.