Do high energy prices have you seeing red? Does the sight of trash-laden fields and highways make you blue? 

Then mark your calendars for Saturday’s Greenfest and learn about a vast array of locally-sourced, environmentally-friendly products, services and companies.

Taking place at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, the program runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Along with a roster of activities and events that will be both educational and fun for the whole family, Greenfest showcases businesses, organizations and resources dedicated to environmentally safe practices. 

“We’re excited about having such a good response from vendors and agencies and hope visitors come away with the message that there are a lot of small changes you can make to lessen your impact on the earth’s resources,” said Lauren Kulinski, Nature Programs Supervisor at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center.

Offered for the first time this year as part of its annual celebration of Earth Day, Greenfest is the brainchild of Kristi Brewer and Kulinski, co-captains of the park district’s Green Team, a cadre of park district employees whose mission it is to create awareness of sound ecological practices, both for their co-workers and the general public.

Visitors can learn about the benefits of raw honey and incorporating locally-grown plants into a diet from Heritage Prairie Farm to how one can get organic foods produce delivered to your home from Door-to-Door Organics, and how to use eco-friendly native plants in garden design from Art & Linda’s Wildflowers.

There will also be vendors such as to take those old remotes, computer monitors, batteries and appliances off your hands. And Tri-Cities Soccer will even accept old athletic shoes at a sneaker recycling booth.

For more information about these events, call Brewer, Aquatics & Youth Programs Supervisor, at 630-513-4334 or Kulinski at 630-513-4393.

–News Bulletin news sources