Minnetrista will provide an opportunity for the community to learn how to begin a sustainable lifestyle through the third annual Living Lightly Fair on Saturday.
The fair was designed to educate the community about sustainability practices that can be used within the home and classroom to promote a healthier environment as well as provide some local resources that can show the tools necessary to do so.
The Living Lightly Fair will showcase many resources, including music, art, a green marketplace, children's activities and several presentations about different areas of sustainability.
"The Living Lightly Fair is the only sustainability fair in Muncie and it is a great way for the community to learn more about what they can do to live a more sustainable lifestyle," Amanda Hicks, Minnetrista marketing manager, said.
George Buff, who works at Minnetrista and is helping plan the event, said the goal of the event is to show people how they can take the next step toward green living.
"The vision for this year is to help 'green-leaning' people become 'green-living' people," Buff said.
Buff said the vision is not changed from years past, but it's become more focused.
"People might be recycling and turning off the water, but they haven't gone as far as to change to low-flow shower heads or compact fluorescent light bulbs," he said. "We're going to show people the tools they need to make green living possible."
Matt Suever, a fifth-year student at Ball State University, said he thinks our generation is more conscious about our responsibilities toward protecting the environment.
"My roommates don't think conservatively when it comes to green living, but I definitely think there are people who care enough to make a difference," he said.
Annette Rose, assistant professor of technology at Ball State University and co-chair of Living Lightly 2009, said the mission is to help people learn about saving energy and materials and protecting the environment.
She said last year's event drew in 2,300 people, and the committee hopes the number will top 3,000 this year.
"We really enjoy working with the community," she said. "Everybody brings expertise to the table and we play to each other's strengths."
The event was largely made possible by a group of volunteers, including Ball State University faculty member Barbara Stedman as well as several students, and took more than six months of planning to create an event for everyone in the family to enjoy.
"We wanted this to be an event for families to attend together, and there are activities for everyone. We wanted to target people and groups that are interested in green living," Hicks said.
Activities for children will include the Green City Challenge, a mock town designed to help children learn about the choices they make each day and how to make environmentally friendly decisions. Children will also have several opportunities throughout the day to attend Creature at the Edge of Town, a puppet show about learning to reduce, reuse and recycle and the negative effects of not doing so.
Several music groups will be performing throughout the day, including the Serenade Quartet, The Yurtfolk, The Great Divide and the duo Grey Larson & Cindy Kallet, who are both well known for their solo work. All performances will be held in the music tent near the Green Market. There will also be the opportunity for those interested to be part of a project called "Building a River of Fish," a collaborative sculpture project in which everyone can create a clay fish to add to the piece. The first 50 people to create a fish will receive a clay bell made of recycled clay to take home with them.
Vendors that will be present include local companies such as the Back To School Teachers Store, Debbie's Handmade Soap, ECI Wind & Solar, Gary's Gardens, Muncie-Delaware Clean and Beautiful and Prairie Blossom Bee Farm. Community STEW (Sustainable, Tasty, Environmentally Sound, Worldwide) project, a Ball State group promoting local food production and sustainable agriculture will also be included with the vendors. The highlight of the event will revolve around the speakers who will be present throughout the event, including two workshops and nine presentations. The topics of each will vary among alternative energy sources, food preservation, green building and organic lifestyles.
Mike McGrath, host of National Public Radio's "You Bet Your Garden," will give the keynote speech, "The Seven Secrets of Successful Organic Gardeners," at 10 a.m. McGrath will discuss tips on how to successfully keep up an organic garden, as well as reasons why organic gardens are important. McGrath is the author of several books, as well as the co-author of the book "Save Three Lives: A Plan For Famine Prevention."
What: The Living Lightly FairWhen: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.Where: Minnetrista Cultural CenterCost: Free
Parking can be found next door at Delaware County Fairgrounds. For more information and a more detailed schedule of events, go to livinglightlyfair.org.
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