About 100 vendors of everything “green” – from electric cars to solar panels – will display their wares at the 13th annual Mercer Green Fest, scheduled for March 16 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rider University.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Rider University’s Student Recreation Center in Lawrenceville. It is being sponsored by the Mercer County Sustainability Coalition, which is made up of the “green teams” from several Mercer County towns.
The Mercer Green Fest, formerly known as the Living Local Expo, got its start as a local event in Lawrence Township organized by Sustainable Lawrence. The goal is to bring together a variety of “green” resources for visitors to sample.
Since its beginnings in one room at The Lawrenceville School, the green fair has moved from Lawrence High School to the New Jersey National Guard Armory on Eggerts Crossing Road and now to Rider University – all in order to accommodate the growing number of exhibitors and visitors.
Bringing the community together to explore solutions and learn how to live more sustainably – and to do what they can to protect the environment – is very important, said Pam Mount, one of the event organizers.
“It will give the people some exposure to all the resources that are around – the solar panel companies and nonprofit groups,” Mount said.
About 100 eco-friendly businesses and organizations will offer information and incentives to help Mercer County residents to both “go green” and “save green” – from solar panel companies to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities.
Visitors can learn about energy efficiency, food waste recycling programs, health and exercise and wellness, plus walking and bicycle trails. Outside in the parking lot, they can view the largest electric car display in New Jersey, Mount said.
There will be a farmers market with an assortment of locally produced fruits, vegetables, cheeses, honey, flowers and artisan food products. Terhune Orchard will be available all day for purchases.
Science fair projects and robotic projects from area schools will be on display, including the Green Machine Girl Scouts Robotics Team and WAGS Robotics.
HomeFront, the Greater Mercer Public Health Partnership, Capital Health Systems, Food and Water Watch, Cherry Grove Farm, the Lawrence Hopewell Trail and the Lawrence Nature Center will have displays at the event.
Artists who take “found objects” and recycle and re-use those bits and pieces to create sculpture, jewelry and artwork will show off their creations. Demonstrations to show visitors how to make their own recycled – or “upcycled” – art will be held throughout the day.
And since the Mercer Green Fest is a family-friendly event, there will be entertainment for children – from singer/songwriter Miss Amy to the Eyes of the Wild traveling zoo and, of course, Solar Man. He will show children how energy is generated by the sun through solar panels.