Go (with your) green at environmental fest

Congratulations, Seattle. You were deemed bright and enviro-savvy enough to play host this weekend to the Green Festival.

The event, which is expected to draw at least 20,000 -- and up to 30,000 -- people will feature 300 booths selling and promoting eco-friendly items and causes. Multiple stages will host speakers sharing their wisdom on sustainable seafood, travel and child rearing; solar power and energy conservation; gardening; and global warming and transportation.

This is the seventh year of green fest events. Other venues have included Chicago, San Francisco and Washington. This is the first time the event is coming to Seattle. Organizers thought it was a good fit.

"It's a very well-developed, green-thinking population, very well educated," said Kevin Danaher, co-founder of the nonprofit Global Exchange, which is a festival co-sponsor with Co-op America.

The idea is to offer a wide range of everyday consumer items for sale. The organizers screen all of the participants to verify their green credentials. Regional and national exhibitors include makers of organic beauty products, clothing, chocolates, beer, coffee and baked goods; socially responsible investing; environmentally sound construction; and housewares and office supplies.

What Danaher ultimately would like to see is a "green-mart" -- the environmental equivalent of Wal-Mart -- where eco-conscious businesses could operate in a central, permanent location. Festivals like this will do for now -- though he urges faster action to save the planet from climate change and other harm caused by mindless consumption.

"I have two children," he said. "If we don't excel the transition to the green economy, they're going to be inheriting a burned cinder of a planet."

GREEN FESTIVAL

What: Green shopping fest with more than 350 exhibits and 125 speakers.

When: Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Where: Washington State Convention and Trade Center, 800 Convention Place, Seattle.

How much: $15 for both days, $10 for one day; discounts available for seniors, children, union members and monorail and Dalai Lama ticket holders.

More info: greenfestivals.org