'Green' is the color of this year's DuPage County Fair
With as much ado that's being made about green things at this year's DuPage County Fair, someone might think this is the second part of an extended St. Patrick's Day celebration.
Go green. Save green. Eat greens. Make things that are green. The emerald-colored edict at this year's fair stretches to almost every level of the event that begins Wednesday and runs through Sunday.
"It's a combination of both the economical and environment movements," said Jim McGuire, fair director. "Each department of the fair is making an effort to do some type of green initiative, and hopefully our lower prices will help families save green and return to the fair."
Several fair vendors will be displaying their environmentally friendly products and initiatives. The fair has created a "green area" for such displays. Even fair staples like the county's stormwater division and forest preserve are providing eco-friendly displays, McGuire said.
"The forest preserve is doing a display on native and nonnative plants, and demonstrating the cleanup work they've been doing along the rivers," McGuire said.
This year's theme seemed like a perfect fit for the fair, organizers said. They wanted to show that environmentally friendly programs don't have to cost more money.
"The whole country is trying to take on that green initiative," said Greg Walton, a fair spokesman. "The county fair is a great opportunity for people that come to the fair to be educated, and not just on agriculture, but education period."
The second part of the fair's theme of saving green can best be seen in fair prices this year. Concerts are free with admission, which is a departure from previous years when fairgoers had to buy separate concert tickets after entering the fairgrounds.
Los Lobos headlines opening night Wednesday, followed by The Wailers on Thursday, and The Cab and The Academy Is perform a dual-headlining show Friday.
Fair organizers are also offering discount coupons at a variety of locations, including dailyherald.com.
"We really wanted to offer something this year that gave people a value," Walton said. "We want to draw as many people as possible, but still be that family-friendly affordable place where mom and dad can bring the kids without breaking the bank."
Some of the fair's traditional events have even taken on a green hue. The fair's "Build A Critter" contest where kids create farm animals out of other objects is getting an eco-friendly makeover this year. Participating kids between the ages of 7 and 12 are now being asked to make their animals out of recycled materials. The top three winners will receive prizes valued at $50, $25 and $10, respectively. More information about the contest can be found at the fair's Web site dupagecountyfair.org.
"We're not just gearing the green thing toward parents," McGuire said. "We've got stuff for kids too."
And contestants in the Lindsay Olive Salad Challenge don't have to use only green olives, but the majority of the entries will still be plenty green. Prizes will be awarded to the top three salads, which are judged on creativity, taste, ease of preparation and appearance. The first-place winner will receive a $100 prize and a gift basket. More information about the salad contest are also available at the fair's Web site.
"We want to see what kind of impact can be made by one event," Walton said.