If you see a wind turbine leading a group of bats, a biodiesel semi, dozens of mountain bikes and a solar room on wheels down Mass. Street on April 18, don’t be alarmed. It’s the ninth-annual Earth Day celebration in Lawrence.

The celebration begins with a parade down Mass. Street and ends around 4 p.m. in the park. The Lawrence Public Transit System will offer free rides from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the celebration.

The parade, organized by one of Kansas University’s Environs organization starts at 11 a.m. at Seventh and Mass. streets and ends at South Park.

“It’s important to advocate getting outside and understanding your surroundings and environment you’re a part of,” said Lauren Ashman, parade coordinator. “It’s important to remember that we’re a part of the natural world.”

Ashman will dress as a wind turbine for the parade while fellow Environs member, Nick Benson, wears a dirty coal costume.

After the parade, people are invited to join in the city’s celebration, which will feature various bands, food vendors and nature tours in the park.

Also in the park will be a series of booths for the city’s April Showers to Water Towers festival. The booths will feature different aspects of water conservation and information on river pollution from lawn runoff.

“Anything that ends up in the storm sewer system ends up going into the river untreated,” said city stormwater engineer Matt Bond. “This event will help you make sure you keep your rivers free of pollution.”

Staff members of the Lawrence Park and Recreation horticulture and forestry departments will also offer butterfly, garden and tree-identification tours in the park.

The ninth annual Earth Day celebration was organized by the city’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Division.

Although it’s the Earth Day celebration, Kathy Richardson, supervisor for the division, said the day was also about helping people save money while preserving the environment.

“Lawrence citizens are looking at ways to save money, and what people are finding out is that they can save money and reduce their impact on the natural environment by making small changes,” Richardson said.