April 22, 2014 at 2:59 p.m.
Sustainability Fair offers information on green lifestyle
Sustainability Fair offers information on green lifestyle
By Kayla Thomason-
There were more vendors this year, ranging from businesses that build environmentally-friendly homes to those offering locally grown and homemade products.
"We have more exhibitors, by far, than we've ever had before and we so far seem to have a good turnout," said Ann Eshelman, co-chair of the event.
One of the vendors, Green Design Center, sells home improvement products that have been made with recycled items, manuafactured in a sustainable way, or are safer to use.
Some examples of their products are concrete-and-crushed-glass counter tops, cork walls, and recycled-rubber floors. Many of their products have a natural stone or wood product look to them.
"With all of these vendors and the people that are here it's great to see so many people involved," said Heidi Cornelius, owner of the Green Design Center. "The fair (is) becoming (a) more (visible) event."
"We love coming here every year because there are a lot of people who are really interested in helping the environment and of course we can't have birds unless we are also taking care of their environment," added another exhibitor, Abbey Ruppert, director of education and avian trainer at REGI (Raptor Education Group, Inc.)
REGI brought several of their permanently injured birds such as a crow, an American kestrel, a barn owl and Aries, the broad-winged hawk, to share with people how they care for them and how people can protect birds.
Also on hand were vendors selling honey, jams, jellies, goat cheese with different spices and seasonings, bread, eggs and organic skin care products.
While guests visited various vendors, a group of students painted a Sustainable Hodag statue. It was decorated to show various sustainable forms of energy.
Later in the afternoon a local band came to entertain the crowd.
Adults and children alike were introduced to numerous products and ideas.
Norma Pennycuff, a first-time visitor to the Sustainability Fair, brought her home-schooled children as a learning activity.
According to Pennycuff, the children enjoyed themselves, learned a lot and asked the patient vendors questions.
"We will definitely come next year," Pennycuff said. "It's beautifully laid out and they have a little bit of everything so I think it is really, really well put together."
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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