The nation’s largest and most trusted green living event will kick off its 12th year by bringing the New York City green community together at the Green Festival for the second time. Featured at the weekend-long show will be leaders in the environmental community, including over 75 speakers, entrepreneurs and activists such as Sara Moulton, Reverend Billy and the Earthalujah Gospel Choir, with fashion innovation from Eileen Fisher and FORD Motor Company once again presenting their FORD Community Green Grant, and John Perkins, author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. In addition, the weekend will feature an organic beer and wine pavilion, a Green Kids’ Zone with activities for the youngest eco-warriors, several exciting DIY workshops, and a unique marketplace of more than 300 eco-friendly businesses, featuring the latest and greatest in sustainable products and services.

A joint project of Green America and Global Exchange, Green Festival is a non-profit event going strong for over ten years with over a million attendees nationwide. The NYC event is once again expected to draw more than 20,000 people whose passion for green living and enthusiasm for learning new sustainability tools are matched by the exhibitors’ commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice. All show participants have been screened in accordance with Green America’s green business standards.

Green Festival will launch its first New York City business-to-business (B2B) Green Trade Day on Friday, April 19, 2013 from 3-7 P.M. at Javits Center North. The afternoon will allow retail and wholesale buyers to conduct business with Green Festival exhibitors before they open their doors to consumers on Saturday.

“In every city we’re in, one of our main goals is to demonstrate how communities come together, and find sustainable solutions that fit each individual lifestyle” said Denise Hamler, Green Festival Director. “New York City and the Tri-State area is such a rich and incredible community with a history of being on the pulse for trends and ideas, including many sustainable and eco-friendly innovations. Utilizing this vibrant community really creates a much bigger and better experience for everyone.”

Green Festival is the largest sustainability event in the US with over 75 national and local speakers presenting keynotes, workshops, and cultural programming. The Green Kids Pavilion offers play and learning for the under 12 set who want to grow as green individuals. The Green Marketplace features 300 green and socially responsible businesses and organizations. Attendees browse everything from green, non-toxic home furnishings to eco-clothing to Fair Trade gifts, children’s toys and much more, including the opportunity to gain new sustainable skills with exciting DIY workshops including a locavore recipe demo from celebrity chef Sara Moulton, urban beekeeping with the CEO of NYC Beekeeping James Fischer, a Recycled Runway fashion show featuring sustainable designs from the talented students at Parsons The New School of Design, and this season’s best eco-fashion from Eileen Fisher.

Additional highlights include:

• Ford Ride and Drive opportunities
• Eileen Fisher: An Intersection of Sustainability and Design
• Do-It-Yourself Workshops include: a presentation by Sara Moulton, James Fischer, Steve Meyerowitz on the basics of apartment gardening, and a presentation from Main Street Vegan author Victoria Moran
• Green Kid’s Zone
• Green Jobs and Careers
• Responsible Investing
• Green Business Opportunities
• Renewable Energy
• Beer and Wine Pavilion
• Organic Local Food
• Community Action
• Sierra Club Green Films
• Youth Programs
• Local musicians
• Keynote speakers include: John Perkins, Francis Moore Lappe, Rev Billy and the Earthalujah Choir, Katrina vanden Heuvel, Jim Hightower, and Alisa Gravitz

Local nonprofits have the opportunity to enter Green Festival partner FORD Motor Company's Community Green Grant competition for the chance to win $5,000. Four runners-up will each receive $1,000. The deadline for entries is March 29, 2013.

New York City Green Festival will be held on April 20-21, 2013. Doors open Saturday, April 20, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Held in the LEED-certified North Pavilion of the Jacob Javits Center, The Javits Center is located at 655 West 34th Street, New York, NY.

Tickets are $15 for a one-day admission or $25 for a full weekend pass. Tickets and fan passes can be purchased online for a discount at www.greenfestivals.org. Free admission for anyone who rides his or her bike and parks with the bike valet. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the show. Sierra Club members and youth aged 18 and under are granted free admission. All tickets provide access to exhibit floor, workshops, speakers and films.

Key partners and sponsors include: Ford, Clif Bar, Exhale Spa, Eileen Fisher, ABC Carpet & Home, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, and WABC.

About Green America

Green America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, providing the economic strategies, organizing power and practicing tools for businesses and individuals to address today’s social and environmental problems. Its Green Business Network is the largest national network of businesses screened for their social and environmental responsibility.

About Global Exchange

Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Since its founding in 1988, Global Exchange has successfully increased public awareness of root causes of injustice while building international partnerships and mobilizing for change.

Green America

Green America

Green America is United States' leading green economy organization. Founded in 1982, Green America provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to solve today's social and environmental problems. Green America's green economy programs encourage corporate responsibility, tackle climate change, build fair trading systems, advance healthy, local communities, and provide green purchasing and investing information for families and businesses. To receive Green America's popular publications, including the Green American and the National Green Pages™, participate in Green Festivals, or to get its free e-newsletter, providing the latest green news, green discounts, and opportunities to take action for a green economy, visit http://www.GreenAmerica.org, email info@GreenAmericaToday.org, or call at 800-58-GREEN.

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