4th Annual GreenFest

Howard County Government will host its 4th annual GreenFest on Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Howard Community College, Burrill Galleria, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway in Columbia. 

“We are pleased to bring back GreenFest for a fourth great year, and equally pleased with the event’s growing popularity,” said County Executive Ken Ulman.  “The day is filled with fun, hands-on educational opportunities that highlight new ways we can do our part to reduce waste, save energy and water, and ultimately save money.”

This free event, winner of Maryland’s 2008 Community Bronze PLANT Award, offers something for all ages and features exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, activities and practical tips for easy ways to “green” your home, workplace and lifestyle.  This year’s theme is “Don’t Waste Our Future. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.” and focuses on the importance of minimizing waste using small steps that everyone can take, ultimately adding up to a big difference.

GreenFest 2011 will host vendors with information on topics such as creatively reusing waste products, energy efficiency and water conservation, green buildings, green consumer products, and living green in Howard County.   Attendees can learn more about composting, improving indoor air quality, green car care, eating local and seasonal foods, beekeeping, biking to work and minimizing their carbon footprint.  There will also be workshops on how to build a rain barrel, recycling and vegetable gardening. 

The day’s outdoor activities include a guided nature walk, a garlic mustard pull, on site tree planting and a guided exploration for reptiles.  A dumpster dive will also be held on the Quad for an eye-opening look at how much of our daily trash can actually be recycled or composted.  

This year’s GreenFest features three new ways for attendees to donate new or used items to help others.  Race Pace Bicycles will be collecting new and/or used bicycles, biking equipment and accessories for Bikes for the World who will donate them to developing communities throughout the world.  Goodwill Industries, Inc. will also be on site collecting items for reuse such as electronics, toys, clothes, furniture and games.  Aveda Concepts Salon Marielle will be hosting a Cut-A-Thon to raise money for American Rivers and offering haircuts for $25 with all proceeds being donated to protect and restore American waterways. 

Back by popular demand is the free shredding, where individuals can shred paper documents and data storage devices (DVDs, CDs, floppy disks, tapes, etc.).  Attendees may also drop-off used cell phones, eyeglasses and binoculars which will be donated to the needy. 

Howard Transit will run its normal route from the Columbia Town Center to the Community College; the ride takes approximately five minutes on the bus.  Also consider biking to the festival – bike racks are available on campus.  Be green, save gas and take the bus, bike or walk!

For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.hcgreenfest.org or contact Lindsay DeMarzo, GreenFest Co-chair, by e-mail at ldemarzo@howardcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-2350.