Batavia to walk the Green Walk for Arbor Day

Downtown Batavia turns green for Arbor Day on Friday, April 24.

The Batavia Environmental Commission, Batavians for Clean Energy and Conservation and Water Street Studios have teamed up with Batavia MainStreet's first quarterly arts walk of 2009 to create a themed event called the "Green Walk."

Highlights of the evening will include at 7 p.m. sculpture dedication and a Plastic Bag Prom Dress Design Competition at 7:30 p.m. The sculpture, the first in a series of four on Donovan Bridge in downtown Batavia, is by artist Kai Schulte and depicts the first theme of "Nature." The plastic bag prom dress competition was created by the Green Walk committee to bring awareness to the increasing amount of trash generated by plastic bags. Patrons are encouraged to trade in 10 plastic bags for a free reusable downtown Batavia tote bag. The plastic bags in turn will be used as "fabric" for teams to design and create a unique prom dress from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 4 E Wilson St. Mary Marconi-Popiel of Special Occasions on the Avenue will judge the event and award a special award to the winning team. Teams are still needed to participate in the competition. Register at (630) 761-3528 or britta@downtownbatavia.com or by showing up at the event.

Eleven downtown businesses are hosting artists, green groups and businesses and are all in a contained, walkable area around the bridge. A map of the event is available online at downtownbatavia.com or at the event at any of the participating locations. The event will be held rain or shine. The following locations and who they will be hosting include:

• Berkanaway, 34 N. Island Ave., Suite F: Local foods and Geneva Green Market plus 15 percent off sale;

• Shelter Insurance, 14 N. Island Ave.: Solar-powered attic fan and air leaks demonstration by Confident Aire;

• Batavia Creamery, 4 N. Island Ave.: Proposed Clean Car Act (Spiritual Green Connection and Environmental Law and Policy Center) and Keep Your Car Running Clean (Alan Wolff, Citgo Batavia) plus $1.25 scoop special;

• Water Street Studios, 160 W. Wilson St.: "Recyclers" project and Kids' Green Crafts;

• The Gallery at Allen+Pepa Architects, 8 W. Wilson St.: "Embracing Nature" by Yellow House Artists and Art in Your Eye Miniatures Silent Auction;

• 4 W. Wilson St.: Photography by Sandy Rosencrans, Wine bottle art by Shelly Pepper and collapsible wooden castle art by T.J. Hicks;

• 2 E. Wilson St.: Water taste test, recycle game and car wash information by Batavia Environmental Commission plus clay water filter demonstration by Manny Hernandez, NIU and Rain Barrels by BCEC/Women's Club;

• 4 E. Wilson St.: 7:30 p.m. Plastic Prom Dress Design Competition; bag exchange (swap 10 plastic bags for a free tote bag); upgrading attic insulation and Peak Energy Reduction Program by Batavia Citizens for Clean Energy and Conservation and Recycled Art by Joe Gagnepain;

• Batavia Academy of Dance, 81/2 E Wilson St.: Robotics demonstration by Batavia Robotics;

• Limestone Coffee & Tea, 15 E. Wilson St.: Local artwork and free CFL bulbs and information by Batavia Congregational Church and Batavia Environmental Commission;

• Congressman Bill Foster's Office, 27 N. River St.: Victory Garden revival and sprout cup activity plus "Portraits" by Jane Gravelle.

The new bridge area hosts the following four activities: blacksmith art by Jeremy Seymour; Batavia Farmers' Market by Batavia MainStreet; Fermilab Natural Areas; and Kai Schulte bridge sculpture dedication at 7 p.m.

For more information about the Green Walk or Batavia MainStreet, call (630) 761-3528, visit downtownbatavia.com or join the Downtown Batavia Facebook page.