4TH ANNUAL EARTH DAY EXPO MOVING TO MAIN STREET
50,000+ Expected in Rochester for F r e e Two-Day Event Rochester, MI -- The 39th Earth Day will be this April 22nd. It is the largest annual secular event in the world, observed in 150 countries by over one billion people. Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center and the Rochester DDA are pleased to do join in this global celebration and bring Earth Day's hopeful message to main street.
The 4th annual Earth Day Expo will be Michigan's largest Earth Day gathering. It will be moving to downtown Rochester and expanding to two full days - Saturday & Sunday, April 18th and 19th. The Expo will offer the public a wide variety of fun, informative, earth-friendly activities including: 150+ green and wellness exhibits, presentations and films, alternative vehicle and energy displays, organic food service, farmers' market and petting farm, kids corner, hands-on demonstrations, music and entertainment, prizes drawings, f r e e massage and yoga, and sustainable project tours, as well as a community-building Connections Cafe'. The expo will attract an anticipated attendance of over 50,000 interested in healthy, earth-friendly living and looking for green alternatives in food, energy, wellness, transportation, clothing, personal care, home, garden, finances and more.
"We are building on the success of our first three expo which were held at Oakland University. Last year, over 6,000 attended the one-day event indoors at the Oakland Center. To serve a larger audience, we have decided to grow the Expo outdoors and bring it to main street Rochester, where the green economy has already taken root," said John Batdorf, Upland Hills EAC Executive Director and Expo Manager. "We want to make the Earth Day Expo THE place to celebrate Earth Day and to learn about the dedicated efforts of businesses, non-profit organizations, and government to promote a brighter, greener future for Michigan."
The Expo promises to offer something for everyone including the opportunity to celebrate, learn, shop and connect. The family-friendly event is open 10am-6pm on Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday and is f r e e of charge. It will bring together local green and wellness businesses, major companies promoting their green initiatives, and leading educators and advocates, all with a focus on building sustainable, healthy community. The expo will center around a unique Connections Cafe' which will provide a relaxed atmosphere for sharing ideas and success stories.
Steve Rogge, Expo Sponsorship Manager, has many years of experience in automotive marketing but is happy to change gears and promote a green event. "With a f r e e public event, we are asking sponsors and community leaders to help us take this to the next level. So far, the response has been gratifying; people are really getting behind the message of sustainability. Sponsors see the Expo as a way to get out their green message, support a good cause, and spend their limited marketing funds efficiently. Although every sector of our economy is suffering, nearly all of them have green initiatives that are offering a positive direction and providing hope for a better future."
On the Wednesday before the expo, a Media Day and Welcome Reception will be hosted by Mind, Body & Spirits restaurant in Rochester, where the public can rub elbows with VIPs, media and leaders in the green movement, as well as get a taste of the expo - literally. Short presentations will be made by dignitaries, educators and sponsors. Tickets for the reception are $25 and include organic snacks and drink.
The Expo was brought to Rochester with the help of Marilyn Trent, Rochester DDA Green Committee Chair. "We have been working to make Rochester greener and are very excited about the momentum the Expo will provide for our initiatives. The Rochester area has a lot of natural beauty with its parks, trails, and rivers, as well as an attractive business district which is now home to several green businesses."
For information about sponsoring, exhibiting, attending, or volunteering at the Expo, or to register for the reception, visit www.earthdayexpo.org.
Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center is a 501c3 organization. It is a designated Michigan Energy Demonstration Center and model of eco-friendly design and renewable energy applications, located in northern Oakland County. It provides resources that promote a sustainable relationship with the natural world and each other. UHEAC can be reached at www.uheac.org, john@uheac.org or 248 693-1021.
