Tune up your greenness at Batavia walk Friday

What's the deal with Batavia and the environment?

The city has an environmental commission, there are groups devoted to clean energy and to cleaning up the Fox River and a community garden has started. Merchants last summer offered specials and discounts to people who signed up to reduce electrical use during peak demand days, and the city is offering rebates on the installation of water-saving toilets.

And Friday night is the second annual Green Walk.

"I think it is the type of people who live in Batavia," said Britta McKenna, director of Batavia MainStreet, one of the groups sponsoring the Green Walk.

"There are so many different groups that all care about the environment. Even the churches - there's the Spiritual Green Connection."

"It made sense to put them all together."

From 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 16 downtown businesses will host groups and activities to inform the public about ways to help the planet.

New this year is a scavenger hunt that starts at the Batavia Creamery, Wilson Street and Island Avenue. Winners will receive a rain barrel.

And Project Greenway returns - a contest to see who can make the best dress out of plastic bags. It is at 7 p.m. at 4 E. Wilson.

Many of the businesses are offering discounts to walkers.

"A walk is a great idea. This is not a 'green drive-through.' Slow the pace down," McKenna said.

There will be seedlings and composting worms for sale, upside-down planting demonstrations, energy displays, thermal image portraits and information about energy audits, as well as crafts and live music.

For more information, call (630) 761-3528 or visit downtownbatavia.com.