Live green, save green, earn green in Elgin
The Fox Valley’s largest Green Expo is back for its third year. With more vendors than ever and a Green Magician, the Elgin event is expected to draw more than 3,500 people.
The Elgin Climate Change Organization, along with the City of Elgin and the Elgin Heritage Commission, has been working practically since the 2010 expo was over to plan the free event, which will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way.
Sigi Psimenos, the organization’s co-chair and the main organizer for the Green Expo, said the event is geared toward the whole community but tailored to young families.
Mostly, Psimenos hopes people can learn about sustainability while having fun.
“One of the things that we really want to have people do is just come and have a good time,” Psimenos said. “Just laugh a little, relax, smell the roses a bit. We don’t do enough of that.”
The event grew from 84 vendors in 2010 to 140 vendors this year. Booths will be set up throughout the gymnasium in the Centre as well as rotunda and main hallway with some exhibitors showcased in the parking lot.
Various sections will be dedicated to locally grown products and food, home improvement, gardening and landscaping, health and wellness and kids activities. The theme of the expo is to live green, save green and earn green, with exhibitors giving tips on how to do all three.
Kids can enjoy a petting zoo and learn about farm animals or watch the Green Magician, who has performed all over the world, teaching people about saving the environment. The magician performances are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. outside.
Cherie Murphy, assistant to the city manager for community engagement, has helped process vendor applications for the expo. She said the event is an opportunity for residents to find out how to make their homes and neighborhoods more sustainable.
“If every person makes a change, it can make a huge impact on our community,” Murphy said. “We can’t change the world, but we can change Elgin.”