Earth Day Festival on Saturday

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The Woodlands Earth Day Festival returns to The Woodlands High School, located at 6101 Research Forest Drive, on Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Our community has a special connection to Earth Day,” said Lynne Aldrich, festival spokesperson and manager of the Environmental Services Department at the Community Associations of The Woodlands.

A tradition since 1990, The Woodlands’ festival is the longest running Earth Day event in the greater Houston area. Along with free family fun, Earth Day focuses attention on eco-solutions that make it easy to go green!

More than 70 exhibitors and activities showcase green trends, share conservation tips, reveal the diversity of nature and highlight energy-saving technology. Two new booths in 2009 include National Wildlife Federation and HEART (Help Endangered Animals - Ridley Turtles.

Activities for kids at the Ecology Carnival offer free games, crafts and interactive fun, including a visit from the traveling Magic School Bus™ sponsored by Entergy in cooperation with Houston Advanced Research Center and a miniature town complete with road challenges at the Liberty Mutual Bike Safety Fair.

The festival stage offers a full day of free entertainment, with such acts as Lucas Miller and the Anjali Center for Performing Arts. The Buy Recycled Boutique will premiere its spring line of innovative products made from recycled plastic. Refreshments, cloth shopping bags, fair trade teas, coffee and chocolate, native plants and other earth-friendly products will be for sale from non-profit organizations and eco-businesses.

Hosted by Conroe Independent School District, the festival and most activities are free of charge, thanks to the generous support of sponsors—Waste Management, The Woodlands Development Company, Woodlands Joint Powers Agency, Liberty Mutual Insurance and others.

Earth Day is organized by the Community Associations of The Woodlands and The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. Get the latest update, including the performance schedule and details of the Village Challenge, at www.thewoodlandsassociations.org; click Environmental Services. Or call the Earth Day team at 281 210-3900.