The 2nd annual Cantigny Green Festival in Wheaton, IL was held Saturday, September 25, 2010. The fair, co-produced by Cantigny and School and Community Assistance for Recycling & Composting (SCARCE), celebrated, “what’s working in our local community—for people, business and the environment.” Promoting a green and safe environment the fair had activities for families, a fashion show, and booths set up to buy and sample green products.
The fair showcased the “Going Green” phenomenon that has been taken up by celebrities and large corporations. The question that arises is who is really being affected? Is this recent “fad”, celebrities and CEO’s have jumped on, really changing the view of future generations?
Richa Bhargava of Naperville, IL is one example of a member of the younger generation not getting lost in the “fad” and is actually learning what it means to be environmentally smart. “I think my generation is really the one affected by “going green,” Bhargava said. Bhargava, who attends Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, heard about the Green Fair from her school’s environmental club but was prompted to go by her AP Environmental teacher for extra credit.
The Green Festival showed Bhargava a number of organizations and companies going green. Bhargava said that corporations advertised a great deal about “going green” but with little results. She was comforted with the fact that other companies, along with Eco Promotional Products, Inc. were doing more. “Seeing recycled t- shirts, purses, jewelry and an electric car really emphasizes how we can actually change and truly go green,” Bhargava said.
The younger generations are catching on quicker than people think and really want to do what is right by the environment. The Cantigny Green Festival in Wheaton promotes awareness and fun for all generations. Bhargava feels the same, “It’s good to know that someone is taking the first step to change.”
Written by: Rachel Thomas from Eco Promotional Products, Inc.
