Aurora's GreenFest celebrates environmental sustainability
If sampling food cooked in a solar oven or seeing a Tesla electric car up close sounds intriguing, a trip to the Aurora GreenFest may be in order.
The seventh annual local celebration of sustainable environmental choices is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the Prisco Community Center in the city's downtown.
The event will include a kids' eco-village, a community trade show, live animal displays and singing and dance performances.
"It's a celebration of sustainability, to sustain a happy life on earth for at least seven more generations," said Mavis Bates, founder of Aurora GreenLights and chairman of the festival.
Aurora GreenLights is affiliated with The Conservation Foundation, a nonprofit conservation organization that takes on projects throughout the Chicago area.
GreenFest will host activities both inside and outside the Prisco Community Center, located on the west bank of the Fox River.
In addition to the sun-powered oven, the kids' eco-village will feature crafts made with recycled materials, a live beehive and insect-eating bats. Bates said representatives from Save Our American Raptors will be on hand with several rescued eagles and owls.
Peace Jam, an international nonprofit organization led by Nobel Peace Prize winners, will present its "green" activities under a big tent, Bates said.
"We have a lot of exhibitors. We call that our community trade show," Bates said.
Vendors will include businesses that offer environmentally-friendly services, local farmers and artists. Shoppers will find organic soaps and lotions and waste-reducing items such as cloth diapers for sale.
"We have lots of green lifestyle booths," Bates said.
Representatives from the Fox Valley Wildlife Center will be there to talk about that organization's efforts to rescue orphaned and injured wildlife. Several other animal rescue groups will be at the fest, Bates said.
While the practice of recycling and reusing resources will be emphasized at this year's GreenFest, Bates said organizers have made a few changes from past years.
This year, GreenFest will not offer recycling of electronics, batteries and light bulbs, she said.
Organizations attending the festival will accept donations of gently used clothing, books, cellphones, musical instruments, art supplies and some types of packaging materials.
The Green Car Show, presented by the Fox Valley Electric Car Association, will show off examples of the Chevrolet Volt, the Nissan Leaf, the Toyota Prius and the Tesla. An electric bike also will be on display, Bates said.
Aurora GreenFest admission is free.
Bates said last year the event drew about 3,000 people. This year, organizers are hoping to attract 5,000 visitors.
"It is for education, but it's also for fun," she said. "By connecting with nature, you can help people learn to protect nature."
If you go
What: Aurora GreenFest
Who: Aurora GreenLights
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11
Where: Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora
Admission: Free
Info: (630) 343-9697 or auroragreenfest.com