The community, as well as surrounding towns, will be invited to walk throughout one of Nutley’s most beautiful parks, enjoy an array of educational and hands-on exhibits, as well as have the opportunity to purchase innovative “green” products. There will also be live entertainment featuring local artists like Mark Schiffert, Swampgrass Jug Band, Jonnie Dog and The Dingos, The Cat Birds and an acoustic performance by musicians from TK Music. A children’s craft corner, as well as a healthy food court – featuring salads, wraps and stuffed baked potatoes – will also be on-hand.

“Nutley is really diving into the green challenge head first and the Eco-Fest is a wonderful way to make the community aware that Nutley is ready and willing to help its citizens find the best ways to ‘go green’, commented Mayor Joanne Cocchiola. We are very excited to bring such a unique festival to the Township; we are expecting a huge turnout and hoping for a beautiful day,” added the Mayor.

Exhibitors will include a master gardener from Rutgers University who will educate participants on the advantages of home gardens while offering a composting exhibition. A beekeeper will provide a beekeeping demonstration and sell naturally produced honey. Sea Bright Solar, LLC will supply information on the benefits of solar power while providing a demonstration of solar panels. Smart Car test drives will be offered by Smart Center of Englewood in front of Town Hall. Many other vendors and exhibitors will be in attendance to provide numerous educational resources and tips for “green living.” Additionally, a variety of “green” household products will be available for sampling, demonstration, and purchase such as home-made soaps, organic make-up, fair trade coffee and teas, organic foods, cleaning products, books and many others.

“The Department of Public Works has been at the forefront of the Go Green movement since 1981 when we started our recycling program. This year we expanded our program to include corrugated cardboard, all plastics (#1-7), and household batteries. Nutley is leading the way in helping preserve our resources and protecting our environment. The Eco-fest is just another example of our commitment to going green”, said Commissioner Joseph Scarpelli.

The Eco-Fest is just another example of how Nutley is preparing for the future. The Fest will offer many opportunities for the community to participate in “going green” by recycling many household products. Cartridge World of West Paterson will be collecting empty ink cartridges. Commissioner Scarpelli and the Department of Public Works will be on site to dispose of household batteries. Please prepare your household batteries for collection in advance by placing a piece of electrical tape over one end of the battery. Also, The Township is invited to bring all household documents to be destroyed on site by Safe Shredding, LLC. First Down Recycling will offer the opportunity to recycle any white, black, or clear plastic hangers (no wire components, please). Additionally, The Nutley Family Service Bureau will be partnering with Verizon Wireless to collect wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any wireless service provider in support of Verizon’s HopeLine program which donates these unused wireless phones to victims of domestic violence. You can also recycle your old, gas guzzling lawn mower – drained of all gasoline and oil – for a coupon valued at $110 off of a new, eco-friendly battery powered Neuton Mower. Just e-mail the Department of Public Affairs at lmccreesh@nutleynj.org to “reserve” a spot for your recycled, old mower and wheel it down to our Collection Depot off of Chestnut Street during the Eco-Fest. Attendees will also get a chance to win a free Neuton Mower which will be on display near the main stage throughout the Fest.

Other activities will include a kids craft corner sponsored by the Nutley Academic Booster Club, storytelling and product sampling.

The Township will also be introducing a Farmer’s Market at the Eco-Fest, located across from the Mud Hole off of Vreeland Avenue. Local farmers will be in attendance to sell their locally grown organic products such as in-season fruits and vegetables, baked goods, artisan breads, and fresh cut flowers. Featured vendors will include Hoboken Farms, Matarazzo Farms, Asprocolas Acres and Shop Rite. If successful, the Township plans to reintroduce the Farmer’s Market in the spring.

“The Eco-Fest is a celebration focused on environmentally friendly living and making ‘greener choices’ and, to show the community that small, individual actions at home can greatly benefit our local and global environment; I hope the whole community will come out to support the message that the Township is trying to send through this event, the first-of-its-kind for Nutley,” says Mayor Cocchiola.

The Eco-Fest is just one initiative that the Township of Nutley is currently planning in an effort to become a certified community under the Sustainable Jersey program. This state run incentive program provides grant funding and is designed to assist municipalities in becoming “green,” and maintaining both costs and the quality of life over the long term. The Township is also planning a town-wide garage sale on October 3th, with a rain date of October 17th; supporting National Walk to School Day on October 7th; and recognizing Earth Hour on March 27, 2010.

If you would like to learn more about the Sustainable Jersey Program and other “green initiatives” visit the Township website at www.nutleynj.org.

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