More than ever, people are looking for green in their homes as well as their gardens.
This year’s Home and Garden Show, organized by the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce, reflects that growing trend and has expanded into a two-day event that gives added emphasis on ways to retrofit your home and garden in a more earth-friendly way.
“This is our first green festival, and it’s all centered around our Home and Garden Show,” said Liz Gadbois, event coordinator at the chamber. “We have vendors from over 80 businesses, a great lineup of speakers, lots of activities, it goes on and on. It’s kinda like a green event on steroids.”
The event kicks off on Saturday at Woodward Middle School with home and garden vendors hocking their wares that vary from rain harvest systems that can be incorporated into garden features, to businesses that can test your home for energy efficiency. Speakers throughout the day will focus on how converting to green technology can be a long-term cost saver for homeowners.
On Sunday, the venue, and emphasis, moves to Sakai Intermediate School where sustainability sets up in an Eco Village trade show that will feature earth-friendly products and services.
The highlight of the weekend, perhaps, is the first-ever Eco Tour that showcases some of the most innovative island housing projects.
One of the major points of interest is the first Platinum LEED house in the Western Puget Sound area, a product by Coates Design Architects. Once completed it will be one of three Platinum LEED homes in the state.
“Platinum is the greenest of the LEED rankings so you really have to work hard at getting (LEED) points,” said architect Matthew Coates. “In terms of efforts and intents, it’s leaps beyond other green homes.”
Once competed, the Madrona Drive house will produce 40 percent of its own energy and will incorporate geothermal and solar heating systems, triple-glazed windows, a green roof and rain gardens, as well as a host of other features.
With the framing nearly complete on the home, visitors will be able to get a sense of the building’s space and see interpretive signs pointing out features of the home.
Coates will also be on hand to guide people and talk about specific features of the project.
“I am absolutely thrilled with it,” Coates said. “It has all the bells and whistles for a green building project and the latest and greenest techniques in almost every area.”
The Eco Village event will also include presentations by Sakai students on their solar panel project and Woodward students will make a presentation on watersheds.
There will also be puppet shows and other kid-friendly events throughout the weekend, as well as hands-on events for calculating your carbon footprint and an opportunity to get your “Undriver License” – a pledge to use your car less.
“There is something for everyone,” Gadbois said. “Even if you litter and eat only meat, it will still be a fun-and-free event.”
Home and Garden Show Goes Green
The Home and Garden Show and the Eco Village are free to the public this Saturday and Sunday at Woodward Middle School and Sakai Intermediate School.
Tickets are on sale now for a special Saturday evening Eco Elvis concert at the Island Music Guild.
The First Annual Bainbridge Island Eco Tour, featuring green buildings and sustainable gardens, is on tap for Sunday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $15, plus $1 for shuttle.
For advanced tickets and more information on events, visit the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce at: www.bainbridgechamber.com.
For more information contact Liz Gadbois at 842-3700.
