Lake County Green Team prepares for Second Annual Green Fair

The Second Annual Green Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wooton Park in Tavares. Exhibitor applications and sponsorships are currently being accepted.

The first Green Fair was deemed a success by organizers. More than 1,500 visitors and 75 exhibitors attended the fair.

“The Green Fair’s attendance was remarkable,” said Amye King, Director of the Lake County Department of Growth Management and organizer of the event, along with other County employees from the Lake County Green Team. “I think the community as a whole was eager and wanted to learn more about how they can be environmentally friendly. What the Green Fair accomplished was it gave local businesses, organizations and governmental entities the opportunity to share some of these sustainable-living ideas with the community in a fun, fair-like atmosphere.”

In addition to environmental information shared at the event, the Green Fair provided an opportunity for the community to properly and safely dispose of household hazardous chemicals, recyclables and old thermometers and thermostats containing mercury. According to Covanta Lake, more than two pounds of mercury was safely disposed of at the event.

While the available information and disposal services attracted adults to the event, other activities and exhibitors helped make the Green Fair a family fun activity. Several popular displays included the Land of Green Ginger Alpacas and the adopt-a-pet booth. The Lake County Department of Public Safety, Animal Services Division, reported 15 out of the 16 dogs brought to the Green Fair were adopted. In addition, a free Green Team T-shirt, face painter, bounce house and scavenger hunt helped make children feel welcome at the Green Fair. Other fun activities at the Green Fair included a dragon boat mini-regatta, kayaking and trying out a Segway.