The 12th annual Green Homes and Great Health Festival returns to the grounds of the Missouri Botanical Garden on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival showcases a multitude of options for sustainable living combined with positive ways to maintain the health of people and the planet. The Green Homes and Great Health Festival is included with Missouri Botanical Garden admission of $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County residents enjoy free admission on Saturday before noon and are $4 thereafter.

Interact with regional experts to discuss home improvement ideas on all things “green.” More than 100 displays and exhibits by local businesses and non-profit organizations will offer information about solar, wind, geothermal and other renewable energy systems; energy efficient lighting and appliances; cool roof retro-fits; efficient windows, insulation and weatherization. Explore ways to protect your budget and the planet with experts in heating and cooling systems; green home building materials and methods; home energy auditing; non-toxic home cleaning and decorating products; recycling and waste reduction. Learn to grow a healthier environment in your own backyard through water-saving RainScaping with native plants and composting. And discover new ways to get around with alternative vehicle and fuel options; bicycle transportation; green jobs and more.

A roster of interactive “Presentations to the People” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will cover useful topics ranging from backyard chickens to rain barrels, home weatherization to non-toxic cleaning products, electric vehicle conversion to do-it-yourself furniture repair and more.

The Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine will offer free health assessments, prevention resources and opportunities to talk one-on-one with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University experts about a variety of health and cancer topics, including the “8 Ways to Stay Healthy and Prevent Cancer.”

Children and families can get in on the fun by 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 Fredbird and costumed recycling characters in our Planet Party Photo Booth. Join in recycled arts activities led by St. Louis Public Radio and local arts groups, and enjoy sustainability-themed storytelling, puppet shows and face painting. Explore EVie the Electric Vehicle from the St. Louis Science Center to learn about green energy.

Festival attendees of all ages can paint an eco-mural on a Metro bus; the finished work will travel the streets of St. Louis throughout the year. The green vehicle show will feature electric and alternative fuel cars and trucks, along with the opportunity to talk with owners about their vehicles’ performance. Cycle to the festival and take advantage of convenient free bicycle parking.

Shop the “HOME Made – HOME Grown” green marketplace, featuring home décor and gifts made by area crafters and produce grown by local farmers. The Garden Gate Shop will feature fair trade and recycled-content clothing and gifts, along with plants to refresh and beautify your home. The first 1,000 festival attendees will get a free reusable shopping bag!

Enjoy local music as you stroll the “Eat Well Local” food court featuring local favorites and healthy treats and beverages from Lulu’s Local Eatery Food Truck, Schlafly Brewery and others. Bring your reusable bottle and get free water refills. Recycling and composting will reduce the festival’s “waste-line.”

Volunteer help is welcome in areas of 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 information on sponsor and exhibitor opportunities for the Green Homes and Great Health Festival, visit www.mobot.org/greenhomesfest. Registration closes Friday, Sept. 6 or when available spaces are filled.

The Green Homes and Great Health Festival is included with Missouri Botanical Garden admission of $8 for adults and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County residents enjoy free admission on Saturday before noon and are $4 thereafter. Missouri Botanical Garden members are free.

For general information, visit www.mobot.org/greenhomesfest , or call (314) 577 5100 (toll-free, 1 800 642 8842). Follow the Garden on Facebook and Twitter at www.facebook.com/missouribotanicalgarden and http://twitter.com/mobotnews.

The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd. in south St. Louis, accessible from Interstate 44 at the Vandeventer exit and from Interstate 64 at the Kingshighway North and South exit. Free parking is available on site and two blocks west at the corner of Shaw and Vandeventer.

The EarthWays Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden promotes sustainability through environmental education and improving the built environment, providing green resources for homeowners, businesses, the green building industry, kindergarten through 12^th grade schools, colleges, universities and other audiences. Learn more about the Garden’s sustainability efforts at www.mobot.org/sustainability or call the EarthWays Center at (314) 577-0220.

More than 45,000 households in the St. Louis region hold memberships to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Memberships begin at $65 ($60 for seniors) and offer 12 months of free general admission for two adults and all children ages 12 and under, plus exclusive invitations and discounts. Members help support the Garden’s operations and world-changing work in plant science and conservation. Learn more at www.mobot.org/membership.

Included with Garden Admission
FREE for St. Louis City/County residents before noon!
FREE for Garden members.