PRESS RELEASE
EVENT: FIRST ANNUAL PORTSMOUTH SUSTAINABILITY FESTIVAL
DATE: SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2008
TIME: 10AM – 4PM
Contact: John Tabor (570-2100) or Jim Noucas (431-7164)
PLACE: PORTSMOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL GROUNDS
The City of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Listens, the Portsmouth School District and the Piscataqua Sustainability Initiative are planning the first annual Portsmouth Sustainability Fair to take place on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 10am – 4pm at the Portsmouth Middle School. The fair will feature exhibitors, speakers, an organic food court, a scavenger hunt, and more. The goals are learning and action: visitors will be able to walk away with several things they can do to make their community more environmentally sustainable, whether it’s reducing waste, supporting local businesses or reducing dependence on fossil fuels and synthetics.
To gain entry to the fair, everyone will be asked to bring one of several recyclable items such as cell phones, ink cartridges, used books, used clothing, lithium batteries, electronics or to make a monetary donation that will be distributed to a non-profit organization that “meets human needs fairly and efficiently.”
Organizers hope the event will raise awareness of the Piscataqua Sustainability Initiative and Portsmouth’s decision to become an eco-municipality.
There will be education forums on issues ranging from the carbon challenge, sustainable aquaculture and waste water to the “Life Cycle of a Sneaker.” The educational forums will be held throughout the day in the Levenson Room at the Portsmouth Public Library and in the Portsmouth Middle School.
More than 15 educational exhibits will provide information, multigenerational interaction, fun and activities. Organizations such as the Blue Ocean Society will coordinate a clean up of the South Mill Pond in the morning as well as present an opportunity to experience the “life size” of their 60-foot inflatable whale.
Children and their parents will be challenged by an educational “scavenger hunt.” By visiting the various exhibits, they will be able to find the answers to the “scavenger questions.” Those who answer all of the “scavenger questions” will be rewarded with the opportunity to create their own sustainable drawing that will be pressed on their personal pin. Participating adults who successfully complete the scavenger hunt will be given an opportunity to enter a raffle to win one of 25 reusable cotton shopping bags.
Locally grown food products will be highlighted by an early season farmer’s market and food vendors. There will be live entertainment and a rummage sale/yard sale put on by the Portsmouth High School Ice Hockey Boosters Club. There will also be live entertainment.
More than forty organizations will have exhibits on home energy conservation, organic lawncare, environmental cleaning agents, solar and geothermal home energy sources, organic food and much more.
Residents wishing to participate in sustainability study circles can attend a meeting in the Levenson Room of the library from 9:00-10:00 a.m., followed by the Sustainability Fair opening.