By Constance Tillotson

April 22 -- Organic jelly beans and hemp granola gave street performers a run for their money Saturday as thousands flocked to the Third Street Promenade to celebrate the 33rd annual Earth Day.

With more than 50 booths lining the popular shopping strip, there was something for everyone -- from herbs to take the pain out of bug bites to stinging political posters decrying the war.

After one song, a singer put down his guitar and asked, “If there is anyone out their listening to me please raise your hand.”

No one did. They were too busy swarming the Amazon Herb booth nearby. One little girl was having an herb called Sangre de Dragon (dragon’s blood) applied to a bug bite, while others enjoyed “the world’s healthiest tea,” “herbal cocktails” and little candies made from a combination of chocolate and herbs from the Amazon rainforest.

“We’ve already made 20 gallons of tea today,” said Kosa Ely. “I hope we have enough to last the rest of the night.”

At the other end of the Promenade, Stop US Wars hawked signs, posters and pins asking, “Are you willing to die for Exxon?” and “Drop Bush, Not Bombs,” as well as t shirts emblazoned with antiwar slogans.

“We’ve had a good response today,” said Andrew Liberman. The organization, which uses its profits to fund coffeehouse teach-ins, capitalized on the large crowds by practicing “commercialism activism,” Liberman said.

Global Green sold shirts touting “Shift Happens.” Organic Express, located just behind a very crowded Krispy Kreme donut stand, displayed fresh veggies, herbs, polenta and peanut butter. The Tree People hung colorful posters that educated passersby on the effects of greenhouse gases.

Enjoying a flawless spring day, the crowd seemed to gravitate to the good eats. Whole Foods served a line of hungry beach goers a “mix your own bag” of goodies that included hemp granola, a “good for you version” of an M&M, sweet cranberries, yogurt covered pretzels and brightly colored “organic jelly beans.”

At center stage, John Quigley, who spent 72 days perched in an old oak trying to protect it from removal, presented Councilman Michael Feinstein with the “Sustainable Development Award” from the World Trust Foundation “for his dedication and commitment to the environment.”

“While we’re hearing a lot about security from the Bush administration,” Feinstein said, “real security is enhanced by the sustainability policies that Santa Monica embraces that allow us to be more efficient and self-reliant.”

Hosting Earth Day Downtown officials said, was a boon for business.

“This event was great,” said Kathleen Rawson, executive director of he Bayside District. “It brought a lot of people in from a lot of different places, and it was a huge success. The merchants were very happy.”

So were the participants working the booths. For Gayle Payne, who staffed a booth for the Agape Church, the event was a new experience.