Earth Fest set for Sat., April 24

More than 30 vendors and a host of local businesses will be participating in the first ever Earth Fest set for this Sat., April 24 in honor of the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day.

Vendor booths and a variety of kid-friendly activities will be available from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd. Children’s activities will include planting seedlings, composting demonstrations and readings of eco-themed books. Vendors will be selling eco-wares including clothing, personal care items, books and garden items. Other offerings include:

• Interactive energy conservation exercise from Chicago Solar Architects

• Free snacks and chair massages from Harmonious Places

• Live chickens and custom-built cages from Home to Roost

• Solar energy display from New Edison Energy

• Remote-controlled, solar-powered toy car race from Green Envelope Construction

• Cats and dogs available for adoption from Animal Care League

An appearance by Miss Cook County also is planned, and musician Kevin Durr will perform throughout the day.

Oak Park businesses also will be honoring Earth Day by hosting eco-related events and sales, including giving away tickets for a drawing for eco-friendly prizes that evening. Tickets should be brought to the Avenue Ale House, 825 S. Oak Park Ave., for Raise a Glass to Mother Earth, the final event of the day, which begins at 6 p.m. Tickets should be turned in to the drawing station by 6:45 p.m. and the drawing will begin at 7 p.m.

Raise a Glass to Mother Earth also will feature musician Kevin Durr, along with a performance by the Oak Park Farmers’ Market Band.

A map listing many of the participating businesses is posted at www.oak-park.us/environment – just click on the Earth Fest logo and look for the link.

For more information on Earth Fest, call 708.358.5778 or e-mail village@oak-park.us.