SAINT PAUL, Minn. -- The Living Green Expo has something for everyone, including more than 300 exhibitors, hourly workshops, and experts in the field. New highlights include:
• A local couple's green wedding (Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m.) demonstrates how a wedding or milestone celebration can be green and save money. The Green Wedding began with a contest, conducted by KSTP-TV and Twin Cities Live, with one local couple selected as the recipients of a green wedding package that includes the whole scope of planning-from the invitations to the honeymoon.
• Annual Friends School Plant Sale: With our new partnership, it's easy to cultivate your green thumb.
• Our Amazing Earth: An interactive art display inspires preservation of the Earth and its elements.
• Growing a Green Family: We introduce the next generation of children to sustainable living by making art and crafts using re-recycled and re-purposed objects. Kids show off creations in a "Green on Parade" (Saturday, May 7 at 1 p.m.). Entertainment includes musical performances, cultural dance and drum groups and storytellers.
• Complete Streets in Action: In partnership with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Transit for Livable Communities, Alliance for Sustainability, Metro Transit, and Fresh Energy, we demonstrate how roads can be made safer and more accessible.
• Electric Vehicle Experience: Check out the latest in electric vehicles and hop in for a free test ride!
• Good Food Stage with local and celebrity chefs demonstrating sustainable and healthy recipes.
Daily entertainment will take place on the outdoor stage. Nearly everything at the Expo is recycled or reused, making it the largest zero-waste event in the state. The following topics will be covered at the Expo through a variety of hourly workshops, exhibitor booths, and special demonstrations:
• How to protect your family and your home: Experts show that it's easy to make more environmentally friendly choices in the home while limiting household toxins. Topics include finding safer, healthier and reusable sources for greeting cards and stationery, clothing, cosmetics, eco-art, candles, shopping and plastic bags, cleaning services and cleaners, diapers, and green gifts and products.
• How to "grow" a green gamily: The creative arts interactive experience teaches the next generation about sustainable living through, a variety of storytellers, poets, and entertainers, and the creation of recycled Mother's Day gifts."
• How to best enjoy healthy and local foods: The food area features local chefs demonstrating recipes using local, seasonal foods. Exhibits provide an array of delicious, healthy options, and workshops and demos cover popular topics like eating on a budget and canning and preserving fresh foods. Attendees can learn more about Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), meet emu farmers, and even learn about healthy and local food choices for pets!
• Ways to drive smart: In addition to providing free transportation with Metro Transit Go Greener passes, the Expo gives the latest in green and cost-saving transportation options and shrinking carbon footprints, whether on foot, bike, bus, or car. Exhibitors and workshops include new green car options, car shares, and resources for alternative means of getting around town. The Electric Vehicle Experience will feature some of the newest in electric vehicles and offer free test rides.
• How to create sustainable gardens and backyards: Workshops, experts, and backyard displays showcase the greening of lawns, including information on native plants, organic lawn care, rain gardens, sustainable gardening, and composting. Find information on vermicomposting, rain barrels, water management, and sustainable pavers. Whether attendees live in a condo balcony or own a multi-acre lot, they'll find something for their outdoor space. *New this year: A partnership with the annual Friends School Plant Sale makes it easy to bring plants home with you that day.
• Ways to save energy and money: Exhibits and demonstrations give information on energy conservation. Learn more about solar power, radiant floor heating, Geothermal, insulation techniques and how they can help save on electricity, heating, and cooling bills. Experts teach about renewable energy, and provide energy saving tips, information about home energy audits and federal stimulus options.
• Ways to build or remodel green: Today's homeowners are looking at ways to remodel or "green their homes" - creating long-term savings for both their pocketbooks and the earth. Exhibits focus on green design, construction, remodeling and interior housework, including geothermal heating and cooling systems, roofing options, energy efficient windows and green building materials.
• Ways to protect and enjoy the Great Outdoors: Explore ways to help restore and preserve our state's natural resources, including recycling home water, restoring natural lands, and examining how climate change affects wildlife and eco-tourism options.
Admission is free (with voluntary nonprofit donation of $2). Secure bike storage is available. Metro Transit provides shuttle services at the Expo and free transportation to and from the Expo with the Go Greener Pass. Chinook Books will be given to the first 200 visitors each day.
To learn more about the Living Green Expo, visit www.livinggreenexpo.mn, "like" Living Green Expo on www.facebook.com or join the conversation on twitter (@livinggreenexpo, #lgemn).
(Copyright 2011 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)