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Sierra Club Fox Valley Group’s Loop the Lake Earth Day Hike on April 20 is a fun way to get your fitness on, enjoy nature and learn more local businesses and environmental groups in the Fox Valley.

The 3.5-mile hike takes advantage of last year’s Loop the Lake project which built a trail around scenic Lake Butte Des Morts and bridges  several eye-catching locations like Downtown Neenah, the Menasha Locks and the Trestle Trail by Fox Crossing.

Hikers can start between 9 and 10:30 a.m. at Neenah’s Arrowhead Park. When they pass Menasha’s locks and the Trestle Trail Bridge, they’ll find information tables for local businesses, environmental groups and other organizations at Fox Crossing’s Fritse Park.

Sierra Club Fox Valley Group Vice President John Engel says environmental groups of all kinds will be tabling the event, such as the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and a small group art exhibit called Pop Art.

“What they’ve done is reach out to numerous artists who have drawn or painted really neat-looking pictures of landscapes and such depicting climate change,” Engel says. “They had an art show last year, and it’s a collection of art that’s moved from location to location.”

In addition to environmental groups, Sierra Club is interested in featuring businesses and organizations that promote outdoor activities and physical fitness.

“Numerous groups that align with our values, self-power; using either wind, [paddles] or your own muscles to get from point A to point B to enjoy the outdoors,” Engel says.

This includes Cranked Bike Studio in Neenah, Utowana Beach Paddling Club and North East Wisconsin Paddlers, who will also provide information at the Hike.

“[Businesses are] gonna have bikes there, stand-up paddle boards, canoes, kayaks so people can get a look at the gear we’re talking about,” Engel says.

Engel hopes the event will highlight the natural locations the Fox Valley has to offer as well as bring people together on Earth Day.

“We all breathe the same air, we drink the same water and we require healthy soil to grow our crops, and what we’re doing is highlighting the area around Little Lake Butte Des Morts,” Engel says. “We want people to come together, have a nice walk along the loop, look at the biodiversity that’s out there and just enjoy the day”

The event is free and open to the public on April 20, or April 27 in the event of rain (or snow). Pre-registration is preferred and more information can be found at sierraclub.org/wisconsin/fox-valley.