Post by Kelly White

The largest green living event in Philadelphia and Delaware Valley is back for a third year. The Urban Green Partnership’s annual goal is to collect 3000 signatures in support of the RECYCLE NOW campaign. Contribute yours, and then get to it. There’s plenty to do as the expanding festival puts on the green light, with even more for you to learn.

As enviro-aware as you think you are, do you know what SoReFa means? Then you’ll want to watch the Socially Responsible Fashion Show and the Eco-Exchange Clothing Swap, which is bound to contain a ton of treehugger-chic catchphrases. Also taking to the main stage is the Paul Green School of Rock Band and the Sweet Green Organic Pastry and Dessert Contest. Local chefs will whip up their best loca-fied treat and submit it for judgment, using ingredients from a 100-mile radius.

Children are some of the greenest people we know. They don’t bathe until you force them to, they utilize the walls as paper. Good for them, then, that puppet-making with recycled objects, sustainable water play, and a vintage dress-up booth are among diversions on hand. Let them create their own musical instrument from household products, and you may not have to buy them a drum kit for Christmas.

Over 200 exhibitors will around to school you on green building, lifestyle choices, and sustainable products. This year’s theme is water, so bring your refillable h20 bottle and catch the Water Quality Symposium and eco film screenings. Naturally, it wouldn’t be a GreenFest without the proper set-up. This includes hand-made recycling stations, water-filling areas, bike valets, and used sneaker collections along South Street, so that festival-goers can make conscious decisions. And ultimately, that’s why we should all be there.

GreenFest will be held on Sunday, September 7th, from 11am-6pm.

GreenFest Philly 2008
Headhouse Square, 2nd & South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
greenfestphilly.org