Earth Day San Marcos Festival

Festival Schedule

• Full Schedule

  Time

  Activity

  10:00 a.m.

  Blessing at the San Marcos Springs led by the Indigenous Cultures Institute

  10:30 a.m.

  Napako: Our Journey children’s book reading by author Maria Rocha, followed by a book signing

  10:45 a.m.

  Live Music: San Marcos Youth Mariachi

  11 a.m.–12 p.m.

  Eco Session: Exploring Aquifers through Art

  Textile artist and Texas State professor Gwendolyn Hustvedt will explore how art can inspire new ways of thinking about aquifers, ecology, and imagination. She will also discuss her latest exhibition, Groundwork, currently on display at the Meadows Center, which features silk banners inspired by the Edwards Aquifer and the San Marcos Springs.

  11:30 a.m.

  Live Music: Tracy Weinberg

  12:30–1:30 p.m.

  Eco Session: Eco Philosophy Walk and Talk

  The Texas State Philosophy Department, in collaboration with the Sacred Springs Biocultural Conservation Program, will lead a guided walk around the Meadows Center grounds and the sacred San Marcos Springs. The walk will incorporate mindfulness techniques to help participants reconnect with nature and conclude with a discussion on the philosophical implications of human and natural cohabitation, led by Dr. Rob Dussler, Dr. Justin Williams, and Dr. Jeff Gessas.

  1:00 p.m.

  Live Music: Sophia Johnson Trio

  2–3 p.m.

  Eco Session: Exploring the Deep, A Spring Lake Virtual Reality Experience

  Experience Spring Lake from a scuba diver’s perspective through immersive virtual reality, and discover its unique biodiversity through hands-on activities and interactive displays. Meadows Center staff will guide explorers of all ages through these engaging learning experiences.

  2:30 p.m.

  Live Music: Vanessa Barbee & Veronica DeWitt

• Vendor List

  • Non-Profit & Educational

    • Bat Conservation International
    • Captain Thomas Moore Chapter, NSDAR
    • Central Texas Biodiversity Bunch 
    • Councilwomen Alyssa Garza & Amanda Rodriguez
    • Edwards Aquifer Research & Data Center
    • Families Learning Together
    • Hays County Master Naturalist
    • H-E-B 
    • Indigenous Cultures Institute
    • Keep San Marcos Beautiful
    • Move SM
    • Research Rangers
    • San Marcos Discovery Center
    • San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance
    • Save Our Springs Alliance
    • Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
    • Texas State Employees Union
    • The Eyes of the San Marcos River
    • The Watershed Association
    • TPWD Angler Education
    • TXST Archaeology Club
    • TXST Biology Department
    • TXST Department of Curriculum and Instruction
    • TXST Health Promotion Service
    • TXST Mathworks
    • Vegan Connection
    • What Goes Here Flows Here

  • Local Businesses & Artisans

    • Creation Era Crafts
    • Current Goods
    • Found Jewelry
    • Gladdpol
    • Hayat's Garden 
    • Hunters Hive Candles
    • Jen M Ramos Handmade
    • JenLand Recycled Art
    • MedPark Hearing Center
    • Renewal By Andersen
    • Touchstone Arts
    • Uptown Cheapskate
    • Where'd The Wild Things Go

  • Food & Beverage

    • Ajs Ranch Road Grill
    • Ollies Market
    • Springtown Roasters

• Where can I park?

  Free parking is available at two off-site locations, with transportation provided to and from the festival. 

  Limited parking is available on-site at Spring Lake for accessible (ADA) parking only. Bobcat Stadium shuttles are also accessible if there are no spots open at Spring Lake.

  Bobcat Stadium (Lot P9) — Shuttle Service Available (Get Directions)

  Parking is available across the street from Spring Lake at Bobcat Stadium in Lot P9.

  • Shuttle Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
  • Where to Park: Please park within the designated Lot P9 area (see map below). 

  Parking Map (Lot P9): The yellow triangle indicates where attendees should park. The red star marks the shuttle pickup location. 

  

   

  Travis Elementary — Pedicab Service (Get Directions)

  Additional parking is available at Travis Elementary School.

  • Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.

   

• Where are you located?

  We are located at 201 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos, Texas. For directions, please see our directions page.

• Is the park wheelchair accessible?

  The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University is continually working with the appropriate University personnel to assess our accessibility needs and make our campus as accessible as possible. While the Wetlands Boardwalk and Discovery Hall are wheelchair accessible, our glass-bottom boats are currently not. Unfortunately, we are not able to modify our historic boats, but we are currently researching the design, cost and construction of a fully accessible boat and related dock.  

  If the guest is able to transfer to the boat, the wheelchair can be left at the dock. There are two steps to board the boat from the dock and each boat has a handrail to help guests board. Please see the photo of the boat dock below. If you have specific questions, please call our Ticket Kiosk at 512.245.7590.
   

   

  

• What if it rains?

  In the chance that there is rain, the scheduled activities, and glass-bottom boat rides will continue unless the weather becomes severe, such as lightning or strong winds. Please call ahead if you have any questions: 512.245.7570.

• What is the Meadows Center's pet policy?

  Service animals only. Pets are not allowed anywhere on Texas State University campus, including the parking lot. Please do not leave pets in your vehicle.

• Concealed Carry Policy

  The Meadows Center is an environmental education site where children are regularly present. Concealed carry of firearms is prohibited while minor children are on site. Open carry of firearms is always prohibited on Texas State University property.

  Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun.

• Fishing, Swimming, Boating Policy at Spring Lake

  Spring Lake is an environmentally sensitive area protected by local, state, and federal laws. No swimming, fishing, or unauthorized watercraft.