4th Annual GreenFest in Silver Spring; May 5 Festival to Feature Dance Performances, Tree Climbing and Almost 100 Exhibitors

Thousands are expected to turn out for the fourth annual GreenFest this Saturday, May 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  GreenFest will take place at Jesup Blair Local Park at Georgia Avenue and Blair Road, next to the Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus.

GreenFest is the County’s premier environmental festival and combines entertainment, exhibitors, dance performances, food, and workshops to provide a fun day for the whole family. The event brings together County residents and businesses who want to build a greener, healthier community, both locally and globally. The theme is “Where the County Comes Together, Learns Together and Takes Action Together!”

New this year, local dance group, UpRooted Dance, will premiere, The Legacy Project. This is an environmentally-inspired, site-specific dance that combines music, art and research. The performers wear costumes made from collected materials. Performances are scheduled at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Event highlights include:

• Almost 100 exhibitors, including nonprofit organizations, artisans, native plant vendor and government agencies
• Do-it-yourself presentations and the Repair Café
• Vegetarian, vegan and kid-friendly food for sale
• Kids tree climbing and stream maze
• Electric vehicle and hybrid car show
• Educational workshops led by local leaders and experts including:
  • Beekeeping and Pollinator Friendly Yards – noon to 12:45 p.m.
  • Quick Pickling with Mark Mills of Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm – 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m
  • Can’t Fail Container Gardening – 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m
  • Find the Right Green Job for You-  3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Repair Café, sponsored by the Silver Spring Timebank, is a community event for individuals to bring broken items and have an expert volunteer “fixer” try to repair the item alongside them for free. Items can be brought to the Café based on the schedule below.

Repair Café Schedule:

• Carpentry – 11 a.m. to noon
• Clocks and Watches – noon to 1 p.m.
• Jewelry – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Bikes – 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Small Home Appliances – 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

To reserve a seat at a workshop, learn more about the Repair Cafe or view the full schedule, visit www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org/schedule.

Due to the anticipated large crowds, public transit, biking and walking is strongly encouraged. Free parking is located at the Montgomery College East Garage at 7740 Fenton Street. For more details and directions, visit www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org/directions.

GreenFest is led by a coalition of government and nonprofit partners who work together to connect County residents with resources for environmental solutions to build a healthier planet and greener environment. For more information, contact Douglas Weisburger at 240-994-4335.

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