Green Festival spotlights everything eco-friendly

The Green Festival is a natural for Seattle, the Evergreen State's Emerald City and long a leader in recycling and environmentalism.

Expect practical ideas for healthy, Earth-friendly living as you listen to 150 speakers and attend how-to workshops. There will also be entertainment, along with a marketplace with hundreds of vendors offering sustainable products and services of all kinds, all certified by national festival sponsors Global Exchange and Green America.

Most households are keeping a close eye on their budgets, and many festival workshops, presentations and vendors will focus on ways to save money along with helping the environment. Cutting energy usage and learning ways to recycle more may lower your utility bills along with helping to preserve the Earth's resources.

Changes to Seattle's recycling and garbage-disposal practices take effect Monday, so Seattle Public Utilities will be on hand with information and resources to make the transition easier for your home or business. Learn about local, organic food resources and gardening to benefit your health along with the environment, with a Saturday appearance by chef, cookbook author and pioneer of the organic food movement, Alice Waters.

Going green isn't all work. Festivalgoers can join art-making activities with recyclables and discards, take a break at the Organic Beer and Wine Garden, check out eco-tourism and eco-fashion and share experiences in the Live-Blogging Zone. Budding green enthusiasts can explore the insect world, play eco-soccer games and join in other learning activities for kids of all ages.

Admission includes both days and includes free bicycle parking. Ages 18 and younger get in free.

The details

Time: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Cost: $15; $10/seniors, students, union members and all who arrive by bicycle, admission includes both days; free for ages 18 and younger. Valet bicycle parking free. $75/Friends of the Green Festival pass includes admission, discounts and a special tour. Free festival admission pass available with any purchase of $5 or more at PCC Natural Markets or by signing up on the Seattle Climate Action Web site at www.seattlecan.org/greenfest.

Location: Washington State Convention & Trade Center, 800 Convention Place, Seattle.

Getting there: From Interstate 5 North and Interstate 90 West, take Madison Street exit, go right on Madison Street, then left on Eighth Avenue. From I-5 South, take Stewart Street exit, go left on Boren Avenue, right on Seneca Street, then right on Eighth Avenue. Convention Center garage entry is from Eighth Avenue. Metro bus service, 206-553-3000 or tripplanner.metrokc.gov.

More information: 800-58-GREEN or www.greenfestivals.org.

Madeline McKenzie: 206-464-8245 or mmckenzie@seattletimes.com