AMHERST — More than 100 vendors focused on renewable energy products, crafts and informational displays will set up on the Town Common Saturday for the ninth annual Sustainability Festival.
The fair, the first event of the season on the common, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sustainability Coordinator Stephanie Ciccarello said one of the new activities, a giant puppet parade, is being organized by Beth Fairservis. These puppets will be walked around the common at 1 and 3 p.m. as part of a Mothers out Front initiative that calls attention to climate change.
A series of demonstrations during the event will include how to make reusable bags with Jordan Lake at 11 a.m., making soy kefir with David Lovler at noon, and creating reusable pollinator habitats with Robin Huntley at 2 p.m.
Musical performances will take place throughout the day, including Under the Tree Music, Andy Stewart, The Valley Women Drummers, The Greys and The Frost Heaves and Hales. The Piti Theatre Company will also be on hand.
On the Boltwood Avenue side of the common, Ciccarello said, there will be expanded recycling opportunities. People will be able to recycle plastic bags and pellet bags, Styrofoam chunks, textiles and shoes, cellphones and accessories, and computers, laptops and printers.
With the event taking place a week before the Amherst Farmers Market begins for the season, Ciccarello said there should be less congestion than in previous years.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
