Visit the 14th Annual Event at its New Location
The 14th annual Green Homes Festival returns on Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For the first time, the event will be held at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Faust Park. The festival showcases affordable, practical options for sustainable living combined with positive ways to maintain the health of people and the planet. The Butterfly House location will highlight the connections between plant-based green-living ideas and solutions to energy, water and waste issues. Admission for this family-friendly festival is free. This event is hosted by the EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden and is presented by Ameren Missouri.
This year’s festival features more than 70 exhibits and demonstrations by the region’s leading sustainability focused businesses and organizations. Attendees can talk one-on-one with a wide range of experts about their specific interests and project ideas, and learn more about home improvement and healthy homes. Experts will also share a variety of plant-based ideas and resources that will demonstrate ways to save water, be healthier, and protect the environment while conserving household budgets.
Children and families can have fun building a sun-powered miniature roadster to compete in the popular annual solar car races. Sample treats cooked in solar ovens, and snap photos with costumed recycling characters. Join in recycled arts activities led by local arts groups, and enjoy sustainability-themed hands-on activities and face painting.
A roster of interactive “Presentations to the People” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will cover useful topics such as keeping backyard chickens and bees; solar electricity and solar shingles; home energy efficiency and sustainability of natural gas; interior design for indoor air quality and building deconstruction; preserving the harvest; native plant RainScaping, and composting with worms.
Shop the “HOME Made – HOME Grown” green marketplace, featuring home décor and gifts made by area crafters and edibles grown by local farmers.
Enjoy live local music as you stroll the “Eat Well Local” food court, featuring healthy treats and beverages. Bring your reusable bottle and get free water refills. Recycling and composting will reduce the festival’s “waste-line.”
Festival visitors can also enjoy the year-round attractions of this site. A $4 Fun Pass will be available for entry to the Butterfly House’s Tropical Conservatory and the St. Louis Carousel. Interpreters will be on hand to share stories of the Faust Historic Village.
Volunteer help is welcome for festival preparation and operation. Email volunteer coordinator Kat Golden at katherine.golden@mobot.org or find volunteering details online at www.mobot.org/greenhomesfest.
For more information, please visit online at www.mobot.org/greenhomesfest, or call (314) 577 5100 (toll-free, 1 800 642 8842). Follow the Garden on Facebook and Twitter at http://www.facebook.com/missouribotanicalgarden and http://twitter.com/mobotgarden.
The Butterfly House is located in Faust Park, 15193 Olive Blvd, Chesterfield MO 63017.