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Hundreds of people gathered on Harriet Island in Saint Paul Sunday to take part in Wishes for the Sky. 

The second-annual event celebrates Earth Day, which will be observed around the world on Tuesday, April 22. 

In keeping with the theme of global warming and clean air, people flew kites and rang wind chimes.

Flo from Saint Paul was flying a kite for the first time.  

"We have so much division in this country, it's good to be attending something in which there is a sense of unity and we need more of this," she said. "I'm willing to participate in anything that will foster community on whatever scale, large or small." 

Volunteer Clara Schiller said it's important to raise attention to environmental issues. 

"Sustainability and green energy and stuff like that is definitely getting more attention, but just the day to day stuff has really not caught on," said Schiller. "Today is supposed to be a zero waste event, and that's why there are compost bins all over, and that's why there is a big red stop sign on the waste to just make people more conscious of that part."

Organizers say last year's event produced just five pounds of trash, despite being attended by 1,800 people.

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Hundreds of people gathered on Harriet Island in Saint Paul Sunday to take part in Wishes for the Sky. The second-annual event celebrates Earth Day, which will be observed around the world on Tuesday, April 22.

Hundreds gather on Harriet Island to celebrate Earth Day

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