Earth Beats Fest throws KC’s first waste-less block party for Earth Day ’23

Hera Co-founders Riley Beck and Ellie Berland (center). // Courtesy of Ellie Berland

Earth Beats Fest will be Kansas City’s first waste-less block party and green vendor market. The Earth Day celebration will feature local businesses, educators, and entertainment promoting green, Earth-friendly practices.

By putting on this event, the event sponsor Hera is working to show Kansas Citians that a no-waste festival is easier to achieve than they think.

“It just makes you think harder about the things that you’re using and interacting with on a day to day basis,” Hera Co-founder Ellie Berland says. “I’ve seen a lot of waste in events over the years, and it’s a significant issue. So, I think doing bigger events like this and proving that you can do it in this way, I think that that starts to further the conversation, at least in Kansas City.” 

Hera is a new event company in KC, built on the art of intentional living and creating community. The idea for Earth Beats Fest has been a dream for co-founder Rylie Beck for a few years, and now that it is only a few days away, she can’t wait to see so many earth-friendly businesses on one block.

“I always wondered what it would be like if you took a farmers market and flipped it on its head,” Beck says. “We wanted to add on to it and make it grow into more than just vendors. We added workshops, education, and different people that are providing food and beverages that are all completely aligned with what our sustainability principles are.”

The event will kick off with an energizing morning yoga class and Dance/DJ set with Mac Mystic that will run from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Beginning at 11 a.m. attendees will be invited to explore the vendors, food trucks, and musicians set up along Hickory Street in the West Bottoms. Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy music at “In the Lowest Ferns,” Kansas City’s newest Hi-Fi Listening Lounge.

Hera also partnered with Nomada to bring a slew of live DJs as the outdoor entertainment. They’ll be using their iconic army truck–turned stage for all of the live performances.

Recycling and compost drops will be placed around the festival, and pop-ups throughout the day will present educational opportunities for attendees to learn about sustainable living. For example, Hera is partnering with Bee KC to discuss the importance of pollinators and Rubbish Co. to teach others about truly sustainable fashion. 

“I really like using waste-less instead of the term zero waste because in this environment, and in our society, being zero waste is frankly unattainable,” Beck says. “It also sounds scary to people that are new to the sustainability world to be like, how do I make all of these changes so quickly? How can I just be completely zero waste? Well, what if we start with being waste-less and take small steps in our daily lives to bring in a more waste-less lifestyle.”

All of the educational opportunities will take place in the Hera tent at the event and the entire festival will be completely free. The only event that requires a ticket is the morning yoga class and DJ performance. The class alone costs $15 per ticket and a ticket for both costs $25.

This is only the beginning for Hera. They want to further the waste-less mission and continue to build a community for people who want to connect with nature by hosting small, monthly events. These will also be called intentional gatherings, and will encourage people to get outside, socialize, and learn about how they can be more environmentally conscious.

They have also recently launched their corporate wellness program that incorporates “intimate, highly curated, and holistic” practices into the workplace. 

To continue education about sustainable living and to find other resources in KC, Berland and Beck recommend checking out Bridging the Gap, Compost Collective KC, and Climate Council. For more information about upcoming Hera events and Earth Beats Fest you can also visit their website.