A plastic-free, community-powered festival led by local musician Molly Healey returns for its 5th anniversary, raising nearly $100,000 for environmental causes and inviting you into something real.
Written by Tamara Styer
The Earth Day Festival is one of the most genuine gatherings we’ve experienced in this region, holding space for local and national artists coming together for one cause, where art is alive and shared. This is a plastic-free festival, and attendees are encouraged to preserve the beauty of the park by leaving no trace. Water refill stations are available, and bringing your own jug becomes part of the shared experience. There’s live music all day, vendors, environmental organizations, food trucks, performers, and families gathered together, people dancing without hesitation. Proceeds go directly toward local environmental organizations working year-round to protect and preserve the Ozarks’ natural beauty. Nearly $100,000 has been raised.
Her daughter offered a different perspective. “She told me not to quit music… that I should find a way to merge it. And she was right.”
“I remember seeing a climate march where afterward there were just mounds of plastic left behind,” Molly said. “And I thought… that’s not helpful.”
At the Earth Day Festival, we at Deitra are always blown away by the level of talent, from the musicians to aerialists, to artists, local businesses, and food trucks with a variety of delicious fare to choose from.
Photographed by Matt Loveland
THERE'S A CERTAIN KIND OF day that reminds you what community is supposed to feel like. People gathered together, present, open, and connected by a common love for the planet we all call home. Out in the wide-open field of Jordan Valley Park in Springfield, Missouri, that feeling comes alive in the form of music drifting through the air, kids running barefoot through the grass, and a sea of lawn chairs, laughter, and enjoyment stretching as far as you can see. On April 25, 2026, the Earth Day Music Fest Environmental Fundraiser returns to Jordan Valley Park for its 5th anniversary — one-day, ticketed, plastic-free festival built around live music, sustainability, and real, tangible impact.
THERE'S A CERTAIN KIND OF day that reminds you what community is supposed to feel like. People gathered together, present, open, and connected by a common love for the planet we all call home. Out in the wide-open field of Jordan Valley Park in Springfield, Missouri, that feeling comes alive in the form of music drifting through the air, kids running barefoot through the grass, and a sea of lawn chairs, laughter, and enjoyment stretching as far as you can see. On April 25, 2026, the Earth Day Music Fest Environmental Fundraiser returns to Jordan Valley Park for its 5th anniversary — one-day, ticketed, plastic-free festival built around live music, sustainability, and real, tangible impact.
The Earth Day Festival is one of the most genuine gatherings we’ve experienced in this region, holding space for local and national artists coming together for one cause, where art is alive and shared. This is a plastic-free festival, and attendees are encouraged to preserve the beauty of the park by leaving no trace. Water refill stations are available, and bringing your own jug becomes part of the shared experience. There’s live music all day, vendors, environmental organizations, food trucks, performers, and families gathered together, people dancing without hesitation. Proceeds go directly toward local environmental organizations working year-round to protect and preserve the Ozarks’ natural beauty. Nearly $100,000 has been raised.
For Molly Healey, the festival started with a question: “What more can I do?”
“I was really starting to get involved in just more personal habit changes to try to reduce my waste and help the environment,” said Molly, "and I was wondering if there was something more that I could do. I thought maybe I should switch careers and do something more directly in environmental work.”Her daughter offered a different perspective. “She told me not to quit music… that I should find a way to merge it. And she was right.”
“She told me not to quit music… that I should find a way to merge it.”
“I remember seeing a climate march where afterward there were just mounds of plastic left behind,” Molly said. “And I thought… that’s not helpful.”
The Earth Day Music Fest operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. “By definition, we are a nonprofit. We have no commercial interests,” she said. “None of us have made a cent off this. We don’t even pay ourselves for the time. You really can’t do much for the environment without dollars. If you can volunteer, that’s great. If you can also buy a ticket and have those dollars go toward something meaningful, that’s powerful too.”
“I think the biggest thing is for people to take a chance on us,” Molly said. “It’s going to be an incredible day of music… and just knowing that every dollar goes toward something meaningful. Let’s just help fill this park up.”
“I think the biggest thing is for people to take a chance on us,” Molly said. “It’s going to be an incredible day of music… and just knowing that every dollar goes toward something meaningful. Let’s just help fill this park up.”
“Let’s just help fill this park up.”
At the Earth Day Festival, we at Deitra are always blown away by the level of talent, from the musicians to aerialists, to artists, local businesses, and food trucks with a variety of delicious fare to choose from.
This is how culture is built. In fields like this, where people gather with intention, where artists offer their work, where community shows up and decides something matters. At Deitra, we believe art and community move together. The scenes worth building are rooted in something deeper. Something that gives back and creates space for real connection and meaning. This festival embodies that. This is what it looks like when art becomes action. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to be part of something real, this is it. DM
EVENT DETAILS:
Earth Day Music Fest Environmental Fundraiser (5th Anniversary)
Jordan Valley Park, Springfield, Missouri
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Earth Day Music Fest Environmental Fundraiser (5th Anniversary)
Jordan Valley Park, Springfield, Missouri
Saturday, April 25, 2026
General Admission: $25
Tickets: earthdayspringfieldmo.com
Tickets: earthdayspringfieldmo.com
Proceeds go directly toward local environmental organizations
Plastic-free event – bring your own water container
Family-friendly (kids get in free)
Live music (national + regional acts, headliner TBA)
Vendors, food, performers, and environmental organizations
Plastic-free event – bring your own water container
Family-friendly (kids get in free)
Live music (national + regional acts, headliner TBA)
Vendors, food, performers, and environmental organizations
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