GREEN SPACE: Earth Day special edition

Thursday, April 22, 2010 | Source: metromode

Michigan's largest Earth Day celebration is expected to draw 100,000 people this year, according to organizer Steve Rogge of TriGreen Development L3C. The magnitude becomes very apparent when you do the math: three days of festival with 220 exhibitors and hourly speakers, one parade, one fun run, dozens of kids activities, and three nights of parties.

The main portion of the Michigan Earth Day Fest will take place at the intersection of Third and Water Streets in downtown Rochester April 22 to 25. This is the meat and potatoes of the event, where visitors can get up close and personal with information and products that touch upon food, energy, transportation, wellness, home and garden, and more.

There will be speakers every hour on the hour, covering topics that range from the creation of a state bank in Michigan, climate change, nuclear energy, composting, the origins of the green movement, and much more. Kids activities include rock-climbing, worm bins, energy demonstrations, and a labyrinth. All exhibits, films, and presentations are free of charge.

Michigan Earth Fest runs Friday, April 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is rain or shine, people -- there is 50,000 square feet of tent space.

Additional activities include a preview party Thursday, April 22 at 7 p.m.; a green career fair on Friday, April 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 24; a fun run on Sunday, April 25 at 10 a.m.; and two Parties for the Planet on Friday and Saturday nights.

Rogge founded TriGreen with partner John Batdorf under a new tax classification, L3C, a non-profit/for-profit hybrid. Their mission is to build partnerships with local businesses, governments and non-profits to promote economic and community development that meets the triple bottom line of people, planet and prosperity. "A healthy economy and a healthy environment are not mutually exclusive," he says. "Really, they are dependent on each other." Michigan Earth Fest is the company's flagship event.

Source: Steve Rogge, TriGreen Development L3C
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh