Earth Day Free Day was celebrated in Capitol Hill Saturday afternoon in the empty lot at BoylstonBelmont and Pine. The event was organized with the intent of creatively utilizing vacant space, fostering a sense of community, and celebrating Earth Day.

As advertised, artists could come promote themselves by performing or displaying their work, and community members could bring treats or activities to share.  The one rule was that everything should be free of charge. 

Earth Day Free Day kept a group of about a couple dozen folks from the neighborhood milling about the lot and hanging out, some who knew about the event beforehand, and others who were attracted by the hip-hop and dance music being spun by the two DJs using a modified shopping cart as a makeshift table. There was also a table of free handouts, a blanket lined with free books and CDs, free cans of Hansen’s soda, and a guy from Belltown Pull-Apart bike shop offering free tune-ups to cyclists.

In spite of the freebies, Earth Day Free Day was more like an urban communal gathering taking place in a graveled parking lot rather than a grassy park.  Many people spread out in the upper portion of the lot, sitting on their picnic blankets and chairs, sipping sodas or beers and talking amongst themselves. Some chose to be more active by flying kites, kicking a soccer ball, throwing frisbees, and playing with a friendly mutt named Pork Chop.