Contact: Lisa Geason-BauerPhone: (262) 354-0341

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE11AM EDT, MARCH 30TH, 2011

2011 GREENER OCONOMOWOC EARTH DAY RESOURCE FAIR Free Family Fun offering something for everyone!

OCONOMOWOC, WI MARCH 30TH, 2011: Greener Oconomowoc is pleased to announce the 2011Earth Day Resource Fair will be held on Sunday May 1st from 11am – 3pm at Oconomowoc High School Field House (641 East Forest Street, Oconomowoc WI 53066). The fifth annual Earth Day Resource Fair is open to the public and will feature free fun filled family activities that are both educational and hands on. Topics ranging from alternative healing to vermiculture will be covered at the 2011 Earth Day Resource Fair.

The Earth Day Resource Fair planning committee is pleased to announce that Budget Print is the 2011 Earth Day Resource Fair Event Sponsor and Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital is the Event Program sponsor. Over forty businesses and organizations will be on hand at Earth Day, selling eco-friendly products, services and providing educational information to the community. Environmental organizations, local eco-experts, green businesses and businesses that specialize in energy conservation/alternative forms of energy will be on hand to answer the communities’ questions. “The 2011 Earth Day is truly a resource fair”, explained Wendy Wilson Uhl, earth day program chair. She went on to explain, “this year we will be giving out a 24 page program/resource book to all the people/families that attend Earth Day, this program book will be a wonderful resource filled with environmental education, and references highlighting local green businesses within our community!”

This year families will be able to try a locally sourced meal, prepared by the creative culinary team at Oconomowoc High School. Children are invited to learn all about bugs, in the hands on family friendly Kid’s Corner. This year children and adults alike will enjoy the FFA (Future Farmers of America) petting zone, which will be located outside next to the Field House in a tent shared with the Alternative Vehicle Show. New to the 2011 Alternative Vehicle show will be the Oconomowoc Utilities Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV’s), as well as other alternative vehicles including a custom built electric motorcycle. The Alternative Car Show presents vehicles to the public, which are different from the "standard" of gasoline, such as Hybrids, Electric Vehicles and Bio-Diesel. If you are curious about electric vehicles please join the experts, now is the time to learn

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about the many alternative options, which exist in transportation. The 2011 Earth Day Resource Fair truly has something for everyone, in addition to all the wonderful indoor activities there will also be a Bike Rodeo, which will be held outside and it’s aim is to teach and test bike riding skills to children 4 years old and up to fourth grade. Youth wishing to participate should bring their bikes and helmets – this fun and educational activity will run from 11am to 1pm during the Earth Day Resource Fair event.

The 2011 Earth Day Resource Fair is chalked full of new and exiting happenings, please see the list below for all new features.

-NEW -   Bike Rodeo 11:OOam -1:00pm -The rodeo aimed to teach and test bike riding skills to k4-4th grade students.  Bring your bikes and helmets.  Learn how to pump up your tires and fix your chain as well. Certificates, prizes and surprises for entrants.  -Live appearance by Wisconsin's 63rd Alice in Dairyland -Alternative vehicle display with electric bus-Recycling on site for CFL, #5 plastic and Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital will be accepting used cell phones for recycling.- Many other local Wisconsin environmental associations and environmental groups will have info to share with the public- FFA (Future Farmers of America) Petting Zoo- Each family that attends Earth Day will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a chance to win one of the “Green Gift Giveaways.” Examples of items to be given away include; compost bin, rain diverter kit, lap top lunch box and 500 eco-friendly printed businesses cards. All giveaway items have been donated by event vendors! -Kids corner with fun educational activities for children and families focused around the theme of “bugs”!

-Haiku station & Native American bracelet making-Learn about Greener Oconomowoc activities (sign up for the 2011 community garden and the new Sunday Oconomowoc Green Farmers Market.)

To learn more about Greener Oconomowoc go to http://greeneroconomowoc.wildapricot.org/ .

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