D.C. Convention Center Goes Green

The ninth annual Green Festival is coming to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this coming weekend, Sept. 21-22. The festival, a project of Green America and Global Exchange, shows visitors how to be healthier — socially, economically and environmentally — while sustaining the planet and its natural resources.

Scenes from the 2012 Green Festival. (Photo: Kim Vu/DC Wrapped Dates)

The two days of activities include workshops and special presentations to educate the public on healthy lifestyle choices and includes a Green Kids Zone, where youngsters can enjoy recycled crafts and educational exhibits, culinary workshops featuring vegetarian cuisine, a free yoga classes, an organic food court and beer and wine garden.

Organizations and businesses will feature environmentally-friendly products and programs. There will also be presentations by renowned authors, leaders and educators; how-to workshops; film screenings; activities for kids; organic beer and wine; vegetarian cuisine and live music. More than 300 eco-friendly businesses will sell everything from all-natural body care products and organic cotton clothing to Fair Trade gifts and kitchen tiles made from renewable resources.

The most recent developments in renewable energy and green technology will be on display, and visitors can sample Fair Trade chocolate, tea, coffee and oils, and learn how to green their homes.

Keynote speakers include Amy Goodman, Ralph Nader, author John Perkins (Diary Of An Economic Hit Man) and author Wenonah Hauter (Foodopoly). Workshops and live demonstrations include exhibitor products in action, the eco-fashion reveal, do-it-yourself home and gardening workshops, live music and more. Washington Post food editor Joe Yonan (also author of Eat Your Vegetables) is among the headliners in the food and cooking portion of the program, which centers around a full slate of programming on the Good Food Stage.

Visitor’s check out the 2012 Green Festival. (Kim Vu/DC Wrapped Dates)

Some hightlights include:

Saturday

• 1 p.m. – Yoga: Poetry in Motion — Local yoga instructors will model eco-friendly fashion while performing acro yong, sun salutations and sacred dance set to a mix of yogic songs and poetry written and performed by yoga teachers. On the main stage.
• 1 p.m. – Firefly Restaurant Chef Todd Wiss presents a “Healthy Kitchen” cooking demo on the Good Food Stage.
• 2 p.m. – Author Wenonah Hauter will duscuss “Reforming the Foodopoly” on the main stage.
• 4 p.m. – Green Fashion Show: Showcasing Sustainable Style — Fashion Fights Poverty’s fashion show will feature D.C.-based Elizabeth St. John. The designer will present her line of wedding and special occasion gowns. The collection minimizes the impact on the environment with sustainable materials from natural fibers including hand-woven silks and sustainable cottons, to PET satin taffeta linings made from recycled plastic bottles all from manufacturers that employ fair-trade labor and use vegetable dyes. On the main stage.

Sunday

• Noon – Cedar Restaurant Chef Aaron McCloud will present “Cooking from your Urban Garden” demo on the Good Food Stage.
• 1 p.m.. – Washington Post food editor and author Joe Yonan will present “Eat Your Vegetables: Bold Recipes for the Single Cook” on the Good Food Stage.
• 3 p.m.. – Doron Petersan from Sticky Fingers Sweets and Eats will present “Vegan Baking Made Sweet” demo on the Good Food Stage.

The full schedule can be found here.

The Green Festival is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 for one day and $20 for the weekend when purchased online or $15 and $25 at the door. Admission inlcudes access to the exhibit floor, all workshops/yoga classes, speakers and films. Free admission for anyone who rides a bike to the event and parks with the Clif Bar bike valet, youth under 18, union members, volunteers and Green America and Global Exchange members.