Elgin ready for second Green expo

This year's Green Expo in Elgin promises to be bigger and better than last year's inaugural event at Elgin Community College.

More than 151 vendors will converge on the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to showcase the latest in environmentally friendly technology, sustainable living ideas, solar powered race cars, native plants and locally grown produce.

"It's everything from green design to wellness," said Sigi Psimenos, expo chairwoman and vice president of the Elgin Climate Change Organization, or ECCO.

"I think (people) are starting to take it more seriously, especially because the city's made it a policy decision to make it a sustainable community, so there's more interest," she added.

Last year's inaugural expo featured about 85 vendors and attracted an estimated 1,000 visitors.

Psimenos believes this year's expo - which is free - will surpass last year's in attendance.

Organizers have a variety of children's activities, along with attractions including a car that competed in the 2009 World Solar Challenge in Australia, the top part of real wind turbine, and a speech by Greg Christian, founder of Chicago's Organic School Project.

Other events include a usable art demonstration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a farmer's market featuring locally grown organic foods. Speakers will show how to retrofit a home without spending a fortune, Psimenos said.

"Everybody thinks that to become green or retrofit you have to spend a lot of money. You don't," she said.

The expo will be held at the Centre's Heritage Ballroom, as well as the parking lot south of the Centre's main entrance. ECCO is partnering with the city and the Elgin Heritage Commission to host.

"We've had the Green Expo to demonstrate how easy it is to be an environmentally friendly community," said Sue Olafson, city spokeswoman.

For more information, call (312) 953-8216, search "Elgin Green Expo" on facebook.com or visit ecco-foxvalley.net.