GWRCCC’s 2nd Annual Earth Day Alternative Vehicle Display & Green Expo & Walk --- April 18, 2026 --- Washington, DC

January 21, 2026

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Come to the National Mall and celebrate Earth Day 2026 and meet government, industry, and nonprofit leaders. Enjoy a music filled interactive learning experience focused on cleaner fuels, vehicles, air, and cities. Register yourself, family or corporate team here and receive a free T-Shirt and certificate of appreciation.

Three of EarthDay.org ‘s key focus areas for 2026 are perfectly aligned with GWRCCC’s mission.

Climate Action & Clean Energy: Transitioning to renewable energy sources and demanding policy shifts for a sustainable future.
Ecosystem Restoration: Campaigns will likely encourage the healing and protection of damaged ecosystems, from oceans to forests.
Environmental Literacy & Education: Empowering future generations with the knowledge to create lasting change.

Take your next step towards a more sustainable future and walk with us to support the laws, industries, and organizations that help increase the production and use of cleaner- burning, renewable, domestically produced transportation fuels.

For more information, please contact Antoine Thompson

Let’s make everyday a cleaner Earth Day!

Please keep reading or download our PDF for everything you need to know about our 2nd annual event!

Actions you can take to celebrate Earth Day 2026

REGISTER Register yourself, your family, or your company team to walk with us from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument and back.
EXHIBIT: GWRCCC has many ways for you to exhibit during this event! You can exhibit your cleaner vehicle, fuel, energy product, service, or related advocacy organization. Please click on the get tickets button, scroll down, and make your selection. Need more information? Contact info@GWRCCC.org.
SPONSOR: Sponsor a part of the event – share the information with your company.
VOLUNTEER: Volunteer to help us at the event or be on one of our planning committees using this link.
LEARN: Learn more by exploring the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Displays and Green Expo exhibits.

Frequently Asked Questions

When?
Saturday, April 18, 2026. Walker Check-in at 8:00 AM, Walk at 10:00 AM, Exhibits open from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Where?
The National Mall, 3rd Street Southwest & Madison Drive Northwest, Washington, DC 20004

Who?
You and the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition (GWRCCC). GWRCCC is a Washington, D.C.- based nonprofit organization. GWRCCC was among the first of over 100 Clean Cities Coalitions established in the United States. For over 30 years, GWRCC has worked locally to advance sustainable, affordable, domestic transportation fuels to help reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Our goal is to help the public learn how to take steps to improve personal security and the economic, energy, environmental, and national security of the United States.

Why?
EarthDay.org’s key themes for Earth Day 2026, emphasize expanding the use of more competitive, clean, low- carbon, safer, renewable energy sources to help protect our planet. Increasing the supply of domestically produced cleaner fuels reduces oil imports and increases fuel supplies to help lower consumer prices. Sustainable transportation fuels improve the United States’ economic, energy, environmental, and national security.

Decreasing billions of tons of toxic and harmful air pollution reduces the cost of health care and property damage.
Increasing the supply of clean fuels lowers fuel prices and creates new jobs that generate tax revenues needed to reduce the deficit and prevent tax increases.
Accelerating technologies that produce cleaner, renewable, domestically produced fuels can help support geopolitical stability and save lives.

What should I know, and where can I go?

Question: How many makes and models of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles are there to choose from?
Answer: Over 200. Look at the collection on the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center or go to your local Washington Area New Automobile Dealer.

Question: How many places are there to fill-up my alternative fuel vehicle in the DMV or when traveling?
Answer: There are thousands of gas stations selling cleaner burning fuels for personal vehicles and fleets.
You can find the nearest location and fuel using these online apps. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Data Center, GasBuddy, Upside (formerly GetUpside), Gas Guru, Waze, and AAA Mobile.

Question: Can I use an alternative fuel if I don’t have an alternative fuel vehicle?
Answer: Yes. There are 26 stations in Maryland and 32 in Virginia that sell blends of 15% ethanol (E15/88-Octane) that the EPA approves for use in any passenger vehicle made after 2001. We are still looking for the first station in Washington, D.C. Please call us if you have any ideas. Use DOE’s Alternative Fueling Station Locator to find one of the 4,461 stations in the U.S. that sell E85 for FlexFuel Vehicles and 1,453 that now offer E15.

Where is the stage, the starting line, and the finish line?
The stage will be on 3rd Street SW, between Madison Dr. NW and Jefferson Dr. SW, between the U.S. Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.

Safety Protocols?
The Metropolitan Police Department, the National Park Police, and several other security teams always monitor the National Mall. All Washington, D.C., road safety laws, regulations, and procedures apply. Follow the directions from the police, extend extra courtesies, and be patient with other participants and those visiting the Mall who are not part of the GWRCCC event. Streets will not be blocked off for the event. Volunteers will support walkers if needed as they proceed through intersections and streets.

Walk Route

When and where should I be?

Displays Open Alternative Fuel Vehicle displays feature public transit vehicles, school buses, and municipal trucks powered by cleaner fuels such as electricity, biofuels, propane, natural gas, and hydrogen.

Tentative schedule subject to change

Time	Activities	Details
8:00 am to 9:30 am	Check-in (Register Online)	People who registered for the walk can check in and receive event materials.
8:00 am to 9:00 am	Alternative Fuel Vehicle Displays and Green Expo Exhibitors check-in and set up.
10:00 am to 3:00 pm	Alternative Fuel Vehicle	Alternative Fuel Vehicle displays feature government and private industry heavy-duty trucks and buses and light-duty passenger vehicles powered by cleaner-burning, lower-carbon renewable fuels (biofuels, propane, natural gas, and hydrogen) and electric vehicles recharged with renewable electricity (solar, wind, geothermal).
10:00 am to 3:00 pm	Green Expo Exhibits Open	Experts from government, industry, nongovernmental agencies, and academia will showcase research, products, and services demonstrating how renewable energy, alternative fuels, and advanced technologies can reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil and strengthen our economic and energy security.
9:30 am to 10:00 am	Opening Ceremony	The national anthem and open remarks
10:00 am to Noon	Fun Walk Starts	Walk from the stage in front of the U.S. Capitol around the National Mall (3 rd street to 14 th Street).
Noon – 1:00 pm	Finish Line Celebration	Sign the cleaner fuel cleaner air petition and enjoy music, snacks, inspirational briefings.
TBD	Recognition & Awards Ceremony	Recognition of participants, sponsors, honored guests, and awareness briefings
TBD	Closing Remarks

Where are the alternative fuel vehicle displays and green expo exhibits?

On the Mall between 3rd St. SW and 7th St. SW. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Display areas are in the yellow sections, the Green Expo exhibits are in the green sections, and section 4 is a hybrid.

Are There Resources for Planning a Trip to the National Mall?

What Should I Bring?

If you are walking or exhibiting, please bring your personal ID and other documentation. Water and nutritious snacks will be available for walkers. As a precaution, please bring enough personal self-sustaining supplies of water, food, foul weather gear, and other necessities.

Health & Safety Tips?

Trained emergency medical personnel will be on-site. Volunteers will have T-shirts or name tags. The event team coordinators can be reached via walkie-talkie or cell phone. Police and first responders are on hand or close by. In an emergency, call 911 and notify event volunteers or others who can assist until help arrives.

Restrooms?

Event organizers are providing port-a-potties for the event. They are located at the corners of 3rd Street SW, Madison Dr. NW on the north, and Jefferson Dr. SW on the south. Several nearby museums, facilities maintained by the National Park Service, and food and beverage establishments also have restrooms.

How can I help with the public education campaign?
Event Communication Coordinator: Jade Bynum:  jadebynum@gwrccc.org
Media Contact: Antoine Thompson:  antoinethompson@gwrccc.org
Media Contact: Burl Haigwood:  burlhaigwood@gwrccc.org

Event Press release
Event Social Media Kit
Please support GWRCCC’s public education and awareness campaign by connecting with us and our sponsors on social media.

GWRCCC Social Media Links

What are my options for transportation?

In the spirit of Earth Day, please use public transportation. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website has a trip-planning app.

Are there Metro stations near the National Mall?

Smithsonian/National Mall: 12th Street on the Mall
Federal Center SW: 3rd and D Streets, SW
L’Enfant Plaza: Maryland Avenue and 7th Street, SW
Archives-Navy Memorial: Pennsylvania Avenue and 7th Street, NW
Federal Triangle: Along 12th Street between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, NW.

Public Parking?
If you need to drive, there are several parking options provided below. Apps like Spot Hero can be helpful. Parking at a shopping center or other public area and taking an Uber/Lyft into the Mall area is also an option.

Free Parking?

Hains Point: Located in East Potomac Park, this lot has about 400 free parking spaces
Accessible parking: Located near the Washington Monument, the Thomas Jefferson, Lincoln, Korean War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials READ MORE