Uh, no, not that Green Day.
Still, if we can’t have a 5-Grammy-winning, 75-million-album-selling punk band, we’ve got the next best thing: a 2-day, Staples-student-spearheaded, townwide event celebrating the environment, sustainability and related life-affirming causes.
It aims to counter (obligatory Green Day reference here) “21st Century Breakdown.”
GreenDay replaces EcoFest, the music, food and vendor-filled event. But the renovation of Levitt Pavilion meant EcoFest needed a new home, so the organizers — Staples’ Club Green — gave it a totally new spin.
Rather than a single, localized “festival,” GreenDay (this Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4) highlights innovative work being done all around town. Westporters can pick and choose among many family-oriented, free events.
They include:
- Clean up Dead Man’s Brook (Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m.-noon). Park at the Westport Woman’s Club lower lot, 44 Imperial Avenue; wear hiking or rubber boots and work gloves. Sponsor: Westport Parks & Rec Department and Builders Beyond Borders. Click here to sign up.
- Tour the water pollution control facility. (Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., 4 Elaine Road). Find out where Westport’s waste water ends up. See the process and technology, in a guided tour. Sponsor: Westport Public Works Department.
- Nature walks and pond science. (Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Earthplace, 10 Woodside Lane). Includes crafts and Long Island Sound touch tank. Guided nature walks at 10:30 a.m. and noon; animal encounters at 10 a.m., 11 a.m and 12:30 p.m. Sponsor: Earthplace.
- Spring Fun at Wakeman Town Farm. (Saturday, May 3, 134 Cross Highway). 1-2:15 p.m.: farm tours of gardens and animals; square foot garden workshop; help plant vegetable and lower gardens; children’s activities and games. 2:15-2:45 p.m.: sheep shearing, goat grooming and wool spinning demo. 2:45-3:15 p.m.: Greenhouse dedication ceremony. 3:15-4 p.m.: Traditional Maypole dance and drum circle. Sponsor: Wakeman Town Farm.
- “Chasing Ice” documentary and panel discussion on climate change. (Sunday, May 4, 4-6 p.m., Town Hall). The story of one man’s mission to change the tide of history by gathering undeniable evidence of our changing planet. Sponsor: Westport Cinema Initiative. Cost: $10 per ticket, available For more information, click here.
Aitkenhead says that many Westporters want to contribute to the town’s environmental movement, but don’t know how.
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