It's time to go green at Spring Fest

Posted: March 9, 2010

The melting snow washing down your sidewalk is a sure sign spring is on the way. The First Day of Spring on the calendar falls on Saturday, March 20 and the greater-Sussex community will be celebrating with Sussex Spring Fest 2010 at Hamilton High School.

The bi-annual event with the overreaching theme, "better together" unites the business and residential community. However, this year the event will focus more on the environmental aspects of our daily lives with green information and activities slated.

"We decided to go with a green theme because it is becoming such an important aspect of every business as well as for the chamber," said Sheri Pellechia, Sussex Chamber of Commerce Director and Spring Fest Co-chair. "Obviously going green and spring's green is a perfect tie in and because of that we will have things like Waukesha County Recycling doing a program and demonstrations.

"We'll also have mini workshops on how you can recycle and how to do things in a more resourceful manner," she said.

The event will feature approximately 70 exhibitors from Sussex and throughout the area. The businesses will have the opportunity to interact with visitors in person to share more about what they do.

Brian Ounkham who owns and operates Okinawan Karate-Do on Main Street that recently opened, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to get better acquainted with the community as well as show them what his business has to offer.

"I'm excited to expose the studio to the Lake Country and Sussex area," Ounkham said. With information at his exhibitor booth, and a demonstration at 1 p.m., Ounkham said people will get to see what he offers to students, groups and even businesses.

Spring Fest 2010 is free and family focused. A passport game will engage younger attendees this year. Pellechia said children will receive a booklet with questions they must answer by visiting different exhibitors. When they correctly answer a question, they get a stamp. Once they've netted all their stamps, they get a prize.

And because recycling and green are top priorities when planning this year's event, the passport booklet will even be made of recycled material - recycled elephant dung to be exact.

Pellechia said this year, all passport questions will be eco-friendly and the youth will receive an explanation behind their elephant dung booklets.

"And there will be an explanation on how it can be recycled," she said.

Other eco-themed attributes this year will be a cell phone drive to repurpose the old phones to be used at a Waukesha County women's shelter Pellechia said. She also said tips on recycling will be offered throughout the day.

Other free featured Spring Fest treats will be free health care screenings offered by Community Memorial Hospital that includes blood pressure, children's vision, bone density and more. Loosen up with chair massages and refuel with some free popcorn.

Pellechia said attendees will be in the running for a "green" grand prize, literally, as a live tree will be given away.

The free, family friendly event is a good way to get to know the community and learn how to be more green with the start of spring. Watch for a special section on Sussex Spring Fest 2010 inserted in next week's March 17 Living Sussex Sun newspaper.

If you go

What: Sussex Spring Fest 2010

When: Event begins at 8:30 a.m. with a kick-off breakfast at Hamilton High School cafeteria. Cost is $9 for adults, $4 children 4-11 years, proceeds benefit the Sussex Food Pantry. Admission to the event only is free, event begins at 10 a.m.

Where: Hamilton High School, W220 N6151 Town Line Road, Sussex

Info: spring-fest.org or watch for special section in next week's Sun