The 3rd Annual Green Festival returns to Los Angeles October 19-20, 2013. The LA Mart will host eco-innovators and entrepreneurs, expert speakers, influential community leaders and activists, nonprofits and green businesses addressing environmental and social justice issues. It is the largest marketplace of eco-friendly, organic and Fair Trade businesses with products and services for home, school and work. The event is a project of two nationally recognized not-for-profits, Green America (www.greenamerica.org) and Global Exchange (www.globalexchange.org).

“Los Angeles is home to some of the most innovative leaders and movements in the world of sustainability,” says Green America Director Denise Hamler. “Our programming and exhibits will bring in the best of what the area has to offer, along with some of our national partners.”

Two days of activities, workshops and special presentations combine to educate the public on healthy lifestyle choices, including The Green Kids Zone, where youngsters can enjoy recycled crafts and educational exhibits, culinary workshops featuring delicious vegetarian cuisine, a robust schedule of yoga classes, an organic food court and beer and wine garden.

“Simply put, Green Festival is the best place you can go to learn how to source almost anything sustainable,” says Green Festival President Georgia Malki. “We’ve focused our programming and exhibits in five main areas: healthy foods and cooking, green family and kids’ interests and products, sustainable home and garden, eco-fashion and natural health and fitness, which is why we’re expanding our Yoga Pavilion and Good Food Stage programming this year.”

Keynote speakers and presenters include Actor Jesse Williams (“The Butler”), Actor Raphael Sbarge (“Once Upon A Time”), Actor Ed Begley, Jr., Activist Amy Goodman from Democracy Now, author John Perkins (“Confessions Of An Economic Hit Man”), Sea Shepard’s David Hance and other leading environmental, healthy lifestyle and social justice advocates. Los Angeles-based actress Leslie Durso, and “Raw Chef” Bryan Au are among the headliners in the increasingly popular food and cooking portion of the program, which centers around a full slate of programming on the Good Food Stage.

Eco-friendly fashion will be well-represented by two top fashion show producers: Eric Coly of Le Dessein (www.ledessien.com), and Victoria Tik of the Green Lifestyles Network (www.frockla.com).

FORD Motor Company and Green Festivals have partnered again to fund a $5,000 Community Green Grant at the Los Angeles Green Festival. Finalists will be published online and attendees can to vote for their favorite non-profit project in the week leading up to the festival and at the FORD Community Green Grants Booth during show hours.

Event highlights include:

• Ford Ride and Drive / electric and hybrid cars
• Green Kids Zone
• Eco-Fashion Shows
• Do-It-Yourself Workshops
• Green Business Seminars
• Renewable Energy
• Sustainable Beer and Wine Garden
• Organic Food Court
• Fair Trade Resources
• Community Action
• Sierra Club Green Film Showcase
• Live music presented by the Nature Conservancy
• Free admission for cyclists via the Clif Bar Bike Valet

Key partners and sponsors include: Ford Motor Company, Ford Community Green Grants, Los Angeles Times, O’Organics, Bright Green, CBS Radio Los Angeles, Clif Bar and Yelp LA.

The 2013 Los Angeles Green Festival will be held at the LA Mart. Hours are Saturday, October 19th, 10 AM – 6 PM and Sunday, October 20th, 11 AM-5 PM.

Tickets are $10 for a one day pass and $20 for a full weekend pass when purchased online at www.greenfestivals.org, or $15 and $25 at the door. (All tickets provide access to exhibit floor, all workshops/yoga classes, speakers and films.) Free admission for anyone who rides a bike to the event and parks with the Clif Bar bike valet, youth under eighteen, union members, volunteers and Green America and Global Exchange members.

For more information, please visit www.GreenFestivals.org. To exhibit, please call: 828-333-9403 x 300.

For partnership information, visit www.greenfestivals.org/become-a-partner.

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 Festival

Green Festival

Green Festival is a celebration of what is working in our communities and what is possible today. It's a gathering of more than 30,000 people with a passion for social justice, ecological balance and a sustainable economy. Whether you want to learn something new from one of our 125 visionary speakers, shop the Green Marketplace for new eco-friendly products, sample local food and wine or introduce your kids to the fun of a green lifestyle in the Green Kids Zone, Green Festival has something for everyone. www.greenfestivals.org

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