Central City Plaza is the place to be for Surrey's free Party for the Planet, a two-day festival that kicks off Friday afternoon, April 27.

Live music, dance shows, food and other attractions are part of the Earth Day-inspired fun, with events happening Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"B.C.'s largest Earth Day celebration" will feature two days of environment-related activities, plus a diverse range of performers on stage. Admission is free at the event, which is expected to attract 20,000 people.

A bike-powered stage will generate electricity needed for all those amps on stage, mostly for the bigger name acts on the evening of Friday, April 27.

Pop-rap sextet Down With Webster will play at 9 p.m. that evening (see profile on page 17), following sets by Calgary-raised pop/R&B singer Raghav, The Boom Booms, Shawn Hook and Surrey-based band Good For Grapes. DJ Jay Swing performs in a dance tent sponsored by Port Metro Vancouver Energy. Friday at 6 p.m., the Mike Killeen-led CTV News team will be broadcasting from the festival site.

The stage is set Saturday, April 28 for daytime performers that include Bobs 'n' Lolo, DRS B-Boy Crew, Surrey's Celebration Dance Team, Ta Da Lady, SuperChefs, Mike Battie and others.

TD Bank Group has been named presenting sponsor of the second annual Party for the Planet, which will feature "Meet the Backyardigans" sessions and Kids World zone.

"Our Party for the Planet celebration will be one of the largest Earth Day events in British Columbia, with outstanding musical acts and lots of fun eco-entertainment for the entire family," Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts told the media. "I'm proud of Surrey's sustainability accomplishments and I look forward to showcasing our initiatives at this year's Party for the Planet."

Party for the Planet is an opportunity for the City of Surrey "to showcase key sustainable initiatives, such as, traffic and transportation, waste diversion, trees and landscapes, water management and energy."

Green organizations and features at this year's event include Nature Matters' Salmon Life Cycle Obstacle Course, Surrey Nature Centre's Forest Display, Orphaned Wildlife Rescue's Birds of Prey Demonstration, Scavenger Hunt Straw Maze, BC Chicken Growers Poultry in Motion Educational Mini Barn, and Safeway Country Farm.

To get to the festival site, people are encourage to go "green" by walking, riding their bikes or taking public transit. A "bike valet" has been set up for use at Surrey Central SkyTrain station. For full details, visit the event website, www.surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet.