Anti-malls host eco-friendly parade

An eco-friendly vehicle parade through the streets of Costa Mesa will be part of an Earth Day fair April 19 at the two adjacent alternative malls on Bristol Street, the Lab and the Camp.

Organizers don’t know how many vehicles will end up participating, but so far electric, hybrid and biodiesel examples have signed up for the motorcade. It’s the first time the shopping centers have put on the parade.

Participants will meet at South Coast Toyota on Harbor Boulevard at 10 a.m., where coffee and snacks will be provided, then hit the road, arriving at the mall five to 10 minutes later, according to organizer Monet Quick.

“It’s just a way to gather the community and expose that all these amazing people are driving eco-friendly vehicles,” Quick said.

The fair itself, which lasts from noon to 4 p.m., will showcase roughly 40 vendors giving out samples and peddling their goods and services.

Solo musicians will perform at each mall every hour on the half-hour.

— Alan Blank