There are so many fun and enlightening events around the DC area every year, and we’re fortunate to have one of the best coming up at the end of this month!

photo by photologue_np

Green Festival is a huge event at the Washington DC Convention Center.  It includes a dizzying variety of local businesses that are environmentally-focused, from lawn care by A.I.R Lawn Care, to eco-home improvement with Amicus Green Building Center, to must-have resources like Holistic Moms Network, eco driving experts from Earth Garage, and even fairtrade handmade global fashion designs from Safa Gallery.  Its always amazing to see how much is right around our own neighborhood that can help us save energy & money, reduce waste, reuse everyday items, and support social equality.

Perhaps one of the most important parts of Green Festival DC is the main stage speakers who help inspire and educate us about our lives and businesses.  This year is sure to be a show-stopper with great talks given by Amy Goodman, award-winning investigative journalist, founder and host of Democracy Now!; Benjamin Todd Jealous, president of NAACP; Elizabeth Kucinich, Director of Government Affairs, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and co-producer of GMO Film Project; Laura Theodore, television and radio host, vegan chef, sustainable lifestyle blogger, cookbook author, and award-winning jazz singer and actor – The Jazzy Vegetarian; Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Chairman and

Amy Goodman, award-winning investigative journalist and founder of Democracy Now!, speaks at Green Festival Chicago 2010. photo by Chris Eaves

CEO of The Hip Hop Summit Action Network, civil rights leader and former NAACP Executive Director; Medea Benjamin, social justice advocate and co-founder of CODEPINK and Global Exchange; Ralph Nader, consumer advocate, author, lawyer and former Presidential Candidate; and many more.

Besides these (and 120 more) great speakers you’ll find an eco-fashion showcase, a green pet stage, a green business stage, a community action stage, a fair-trade stage, a DIY stage and live art demonstration!

Kids enjoy chalk drawing at Green Festival San Francisco. photo by photologue_np

The kids will also find fun activities and games in the Green Kids Zone.  Free yoga classes at the Yoga and Movement Pavilion, and short environmental films at the Sierra Club Green Cinema are sure to fascinate.  And the Good Food Stage will provide cooking and nutrition tips.

Just in case that wasn’t enough to get you revved up – MOMs will be there!  In fact, you can get 2 FREE weekend passes to Green Festival DC simply by making a $25 purchase at any MOMs in September.  Bring your receipt to the entry gate & we’ll see you there!

*Don’t forget to tweet pics of your favorite events and people @momsorganicmrkt!

Alyssa works in multiple MOMs locations.