Montgomery County GreenFest Comes to Gaithersburg

From Montgomery County: The Montgomery County GreenFest, the County’s premier environmental festival, is Saturday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. GreenFest features entertainment, exhibitors, films, food, and workshops to provide a day of fun for the whole family. This year, Gaithersburg is the host city, with all activities located at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Avenue. The event will be held rain or shine.

GreenFest brings together County residents and businesses who want to build a greener, healthier community, both locally and globally. Attendees can interact with nonprofit organizations, government agencies and businesses to receive guidance, tools and financial incentives to help them go green. Plus, it’s fun for the whole family with music, games, arts and crafts and food trucks.

“GreenFest showcases the collaboration of a community that is committed to green living and sustainability,” said County Executive Ike Leggett. “Most significant in this effort are our actively engaged residents, committed non-profits and neighboring jurisdictions and the work of our County departments who prioritize the importance of protecting and preserving our environment.”

• Demonstrations on sustainable food and cooking by local farmers and chefs including, Chef Tony, Green Plate Catering, and Mark Mills of Chocolates and Tomatoes Farm.
• An electric vehicle and hybrid car show, featuring the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Chevy Bolt, County’s newest fleet vehicle, and opportunities to test drive the Toyota Prius Prime.
• Live music and performances by Bach to Rock student groups, singer and guitarist Jimmy Lee, and the Thomas Young Ethiopian Dancers.
• A Kids Pavilion with fun and educational water-themed activities. From a stream maze to waters of the world activity, everyone will have a chance to play and learn.
• Skill building at a bike repair demo or at a workshop on composting, starting a community green team or learning about quick home energy checkups.
• Short documentary films on wildlife and nature, including student films from Montgomery County Public Schools.
• More than 80 exhibitors and vendors, local nonprofits, native plants for sale and artist vendors.

The full schedule of activities and festival information is available at montgomerycountygreenfest.org.

“GreenFest makes it easy and fun to connect with other County residents and businesses who are doing positive things for the community. Going green is not ‘one-size-fits all’. It is about empowerment, support from neighbors and inclusiveness, so we all work together to continue moving the needle forward,” said Lisa Feldt, director of the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.

Maintaining a commitment to sustainability, GreenFest will include event-wide food scrap composting as well as a Prescription Drug Take-Back booth hosted by the Montgomery County Police Department.

RideOn is sponsoring two free shuttle buses which will continually loop from the Lake Forest Transit Center to GreenFest, and a second bus that will shuttle between the Shady Grove Metro and GreenFest. Everyone can ride for free, between 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free parking and bike racks are available at the event.

The Montgomery County GreenFest is planned by a coalition of partners, including the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Montgomery Parks, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, the City of Gaithersburg and local community and nonprofit organizations.

For more event information visit here.

Image via Pixabay