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Entering Green Festival
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Attending the first
Green Festival event in Chicago last year as a volunteer, I felt as though I had entered a different world. It was hard to believe that the throngs of people filling McCormick Place, exhibitors and attendees, were really interested in saving the planet. Attending this event proved to be important to me personally as it helped me to make some changes in the “saving the planet” direction. I loved all of the samples that were mostly food and beverages. But two had special significance for me - the “zero waste” reuseable bag that was given to me when I signed up to turn lights out and carry a reusable bag to the store etc., and a sample of “Soysafe”, a cleaning product. After a year, I finally remember to take the reusable bag with me before I step into any store. “Soysafe”, an environmentally friendly product, keeps everything clean with no allergies.
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Navy Pier hosts 2008 Green Festival
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It has been interesting to note in the year that followed the first
Green Festival how “green” everything has become. One can’t pick up a newspaper or magazine and not find at least one article on how to save the environment and there may be an entire issue devoted to many aspects of “green”. In addition, it seems that almost every week end there is an eco-fair, or an energy fair and everyone is doing it-religious institutions, libraries, schools, universities and so on. And with all this, hold on to your hat Chicago because Green Festival is returning on May 17th and 18th. It remains the World’s Largest Sustainability and Green Living Event. Come to Navy Pier this year and be a part of the anticipated 30,000 attendees. There will be 150 speakers and displays of 350 local and national green businesses.
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Two volunteers
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For two days, festival-goers are invited to enjoy authors, leaders and educators; how-to workshops; delicious organic cuisine and planet-friendly-fun for the entire family. Some of the areas that might be of interest include: what’s on the horizon regarding renewable energy, socially responsible investing, eco-fashions, eco-tourism, green building, green parenting and more. You will be able to learn what local groups are doing to build cultural bridges to a healthier planet with 30 local organizations and community action groups ready to chat with you and answer questions.
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Alisa Gravitz and Kevin Danaher, Executive co-producers of Green Festivals
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Cost:
$15 per person- all-access for one or both days.
$10 per person ($5 off admission) for students with ID, seniors over 62, bike riders with a ticket from the Green Festival Bike Valet, bus riders with transfer ticket/bus pass, BetterWorld book drive participants (see below).
FREE: Kids under 12 and Co-op America or Global Exchange member
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Eco-Adventure Game-Xeko
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Show Highlights Include:
Fair-Trade and Eco-Shopping
Music Stage Featuring Local Acts
Socially Responsible Investing
Community Action Center
Environmental Film Festival
The Fair Trade Café and the Organic Beer & Wine Garden
Natural Pets Section
Green Kids Zone
Green Home Pavilion Featuring 40-Minute Workshops
Green Careers Area
Organic Beer and Wine Pavilion & The Power Foods Pavilion
Eco Tourism & Eco Fashion
Yoga and Movement Room
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Re-usuable bags
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Speakers Include: Winona Laduke, Amy Goodman, Chicago’s own Mayor Richard M. Daley, Daniel Pinchbeck, Thom Hartmann, Sharif Abdullah, Majora Carter, Stacy Malkan, Paul Stamets, Diane Wilson, John Perkins, Greg Palast, David Bach, Sara Snow
FOR MORE INFO: Check out www.greenfestivals.org, or call 1-800-58-GREEN
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Fabrics in Fair Trade Pavilion
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Better World Books and Green Festival are partnering to offer $5 off Green Festival admission to attendees who bring in 3 or more books. Your donated books will be sold on BetterWorld.com to help fund girls’ scholarships in developing countries in Asia through Room to Read. www.roomtoread.org
Photos: D.J. Bradley and Green Festivals
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