GreenFest Comes To Ardmore, Sunday

This Sunday, residents can recycle small electronics and thermometers, shred documents, tour an ambulance, make a rain stick, learn about green ideas and more, at Ardmore's GreenFest, an environmental sustainability and awareness event hosted by State Rep. Tim Briggs in conjunction with .

The event, to be held at Schauffele Plaza, 12 E. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday June 12, includes on-site recycling and shredding, kids activities like a moon bounce and live animals, and booths from local and national environmentally friendly organizations where residents can learn about green practices and products.

“It will be a great opportunity to see ‘green’ (hybrid) cars [and] learn about green products to keep your home safer and healthier,” said Christine Vilardo, Ardmore Initiative executive director.

Among the event's activities, according to a press release and Vilardo, are:

• Music, courtesy of PhillyMetroDJs.com
• A moon bounce
• Helmet safety information provided by Bryn Mawr Hospital
• Seed giveaways
• Giveaways for the kids
• Face painting
• Recycled craft products
• Live animals
• Ambulance tours
• A fire truck
• Games like the “Geopardy Game” presented by Valley Forge Young Friends
• Rain stick making by the Clear Air Council

Families can also "learn how to make their own compost bin with Lower Merion Environmental Advisory Council or learn how to become a Master Gardener with PSU Extension," the press release states.

On-site recycling, small electronics recycling and thermometer recycling will be available, along with document shredding services. Attendees who recycle a thermometer or thermostat will get a $5 Lowes giftcard, according to the press release.

GreenFest will also serve as a collection spot for canned food items, to be distributed to local food pantries, which traditionally receive fewer donations during the summer months.

This is GreenFest’s third year, and according to Briggs, is the biggest year yet, with more vendors than in 2011.

After several years of hosting the "Ardmore Blossoms" green event, Ardmore Initiative decided in 2010 to partner with Briggs’ office for GreenFest, in an effort to pool resources.

“[Ardmore Initiative] had produced an annual green event called Ardmore Blossoms since 2007 because we believe that concern for our environment is important,” Vilardo explained. “It started out as a spring clean-up and beautification day and provided our residents an opportunity to reduce, reuse and recycle their unwanted or no-longer-needed electronics, clothing, and other items. When we learned that State Rep. Briggs was producing his GreenFest beginning in 2010, we thought it only made sense to partner with each other.”

The event provides a chance to get green living ideas. gave attendees lots of green tips, such as:

• "If you just leave your phone charger in without a phone attached to it, it is still drawing one watt," said Jane Young, of PECO, who was giving tips on how to save a little green by being green. "One watt is not a lot, but if you keep it plugged in 24/7 that adds up and it is just a waster," explained Young.
• Unplug your coffee maker; some machines can use up to 12 watts a day just to run the digital clock display. Basically, if you don't use it—unplug it.

GreenFest will take place at Schauffele Plaza, 12 E. Lancaster Ave. in Ardmore, from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 12. GreenFest's rain date is Sunday, June 24. Parking is free.

See also:

• (June 2, 2011)