Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair to educate and inform
The fourth annual Ohio State University (OSU) Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair will be held Tuesday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Fisher Auditorium and lawn at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) campus in Wooster, located on 1680 Madison Ave. Not only will the fair be bursting at the seams with activity, it will also feature an abundance of learning opportunities for children and adults alike – and admission is free.
“The OSU Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair is a combined university and community endeavor, whose primary mission is to educate people about sustainability,” began Allen Zimmerman, founder of the fair and professor at OSU Wooster, Agricultural Technical Insitute (ATI). “The event will feature 68 educational exhibits highlighting sustainable and green practices and products. In addition, the green fair supports a number of environmental awareness projects carried out by primary and secondary school students, which will be showcased during the day of the event.”
Those in attendance will learn about green energy, green home and garden supplies, green manufacturing, organic farming, and composting, among many other educational opportunities. The event is held in honor of Earth Day, reminding community members, organizations and businesses to be responsible and reduce their impact on the environment.
“We will have two cooking demonstrations at 12 and 3 p.m., featuring locally-produced food that has been donated by the farmers. Four local food vendors will be present offering a variety of organic and locally-grown foods, including vegan options; Sue Min’s Chinese Gourmet, Des Dutch Essenhaus, Hartzler Family Dairy, and Broken Rocks Café,” explained Laura Chapin, co-chair of the publicity committee for the fair.
Not only will the guests learn about living greener, they can start practicing instantly at the recycling station, which will open at 11:30 a.m. Community members are encouraged to bring their worn out sneakers, printer ink cartridges, cell phones and accessories, compact fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes, usable household paint (non-toxic and never frozen), prescription and non-prescription drugs, expandable polystyrene, magazines, newspapers, phone books, computers, printers, computer accessories and sensitive documents.
“Attendees that participate in the recycling station will be entered into a door prize drawing for green items and the first 200 recyclers will be given a food voucher worth $2.50 at any of the four food vendors,” Chapin continued. “We are very happy to have OSU President E. Gordon Gee as our keynote speaker during the opening ceremonies, when he will address the importance of building sustainable prosperity in Ohio.”
The fair was designed to stimulate the senses, and this year is no exception. Participants are invited to touch items like animal biofacts, organic fiber clothing, and renewable bio-products. They can see alternative fuel vehicles and rain barrels, and hear about green manufacturing and home energy audits.
“Green fair attendees can also view demonstrations, attend the student awards ceremony and concert, enjoy locally grown and sustainable food provided by area vendors, and drop off appropriate items at the recycling station,” Zimmerman said. “The green fair is planned and managed by volunteers from the university and community. Financial support for each annual event is provided entirely by the generous donations of sponsors. There are 30 sponsors for the 2011 green fair, who contributed a total of $19,650 in cash and in-kind donations.”
Last year’s fair drew 2,000 visitors, encompassing Ohio and other states. The organizers expect the same numbers this year.
“The primary mission is to let people see what resources are in the area for adding sustainable services and products,” said Dr. Bob Ross, who is involved with the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network and is on the public relations committee for the fair. “We’re finding out that our resources are limited and we have to use them sparingly.”
“The OSU Wooster Campus Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair is a combined university and community endeavor, whose primary mission is to educate people about sustainability,” began Allen Zimmerman, founder of the fair and professor at OSU Wooster, Agricultural Technical Insitute (ATI). “The event will feature 68 educational exhibits highlighting sustainable and green practices and products. In addition, the green fair supports a number of environmental awareness projects carried out by primary and secondary school students, which will be showcased during the day of the event.”
Those in attendance will learn about green energy, green home and garden supplies, green manufacturing, organic farming, and composting, among many other educational opportunities. The event is held in honor of Earth Day, reminding community members, organizations and businesses to be responsible and reduce their impact on the environment.
“We will have two cooking demonstrations at 12 and 3 p.m., featuring locally-produced food that has been donated by the farmers. Four local food vendors will be present offering a variety of organic and locally-grown foods, including vegan options; Sue Min’s Chinese Gourmet, Des Dutch Essenhaus, Hartzler Family Dairy, and Broken Rocks Café,” explained Laura Chapin, co-chair of the publicity committee for the fair.
Not only will the guests learn about living greener, they can start practicing instantly at the recycling station, which will open at 11:30 a.m. Community members are encouraged to bring their worn out sneakers, printer ink cartridges, cell phones and accessories, compact fluorescent lamps and fluorescent tubes, usable household paint (non-toxic and never frozen), prescription and non-prescription drugs, expandable polystyrene, magazines, newspapers, phone books, computers, printers, computer accessories and sensitive documents.
“Attendees that participate in the recycling station will be entered into a door prize drawing for green items and the first 200 recyclers will be given a food voucher worth $2.50 at any of the four food vendors,” Chapin continued. “We are very happy to have OSU President E. Gordon Gee as our keynote speaker during the opening ceremonies, when he will address the importance of building sustainable prosperity in Ohio.”
The fair was designed to stimulate the senses, and this year is no exception. Participants are invited to touch items like animal biofacts, organic fiber clothing, and renewable bio-products. They can see alternative fuel vehicles and rain barrels, and hear about green manufacturing and home energy audits.
“Green fair attendees can also view demonstrations, attend the student awards ceremony and concert, enjoy locally grown and sustainable food provided by area vendors, and drop off appropriate items at the recycling station,” Zimmerman said. “The green fair is planned and managed by volunteers from the university and community. Financial support for each annual event is provided entirely by the generous donations of sponsors. There are 30 sponsors for the 2011 green fair, who contributed a total of $19,650 in cash and in-kind donations.”
Last year’s fair drew 2,000 visitors, encompassing Ohio and other states. The organizers expect the same numbers this year.
“The primary mission is to let people see what resources are in the area for adding sustainable services and products,” said Dr. Bob Ross, who is involved with the Wayne County Sustainable Energy Network and is on the public relations committee for the fair. “We’re finding out that our resources are limited and we have to use them sparingly.”
Published: April 5, 2011
