By Al Benson
After a three-year hiatus due to COVID 19, Aurora’s GreenFest is back this year.
That was the message Thursday, March 2, from Mavis Bates, GreenFest chair and chair, Kane County Board energy and environmental committee.
Bates addressed the Aurora Noon Lions Club’s meeting at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora.
She said the 11th event by the City government will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Avenue and next door in McCullough Park.
The public is invited. Admission and parking are free.
“For the Love of Our Mother Earth” is the theme, a nod to Mother’s Day, which will be the the next day, Sunday May 14.
According to Bates, Aurora GreenLights, an affiliate of The Conservation Foundation, organizes the festival. Bates said she is looking for sponsors, vendors, volunteers and electric vehicle owners to participate. Visit auroragreenfest.org to sign up.
Additionally, solar installers, home energy efficiency experts, and electrical-vehicle-charging vendors are invited to the event.
Sought are vendors of alternative, sustainable, and organic food choices, especially community-supported agriculture; fair-trade products; animal protection, rescue, and care; organic, herbal, homemade aromatherapy, soaps and body products; upcycled or recycled, handmade art, crafts and jewelry; and resources; native gardening; local home and business recycling efforts and methods; and non-profit global and local environmental and justice causes.
Bates added that, “a special push this year” will be to help residents take advantage of the State Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill and Inflation Reduction and Climate and Equitable Jobs acts.
More than 2,000 were in attendance in 2019 GreenFest, the last time it was held.