April 10-11, 2010
James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park
The Saint Louis Science Center, along with Emmis Communications, is pleased to host the second annual Eco Expo, St. Louis’ premier green-living event, on April 10 and 11, from 9:30am to 5:30pm, outside the James S. McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park. Designed to help people define the swarm of buzzwords like green, sustainable and eco-friendly, and put them into action, the free event provides access to products, services and experts that will help attendees reduce their impact on the environment in practical ways.
Eco Expo features a showcase of displays, booths and activities from various regional and local companies and organizations that specialize in or offer sustainable products and services. This year, the event is on the Achery Field just outside the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, so visitors can enjoy Eco Expo and the nature they’re learning to protect at the same time.
In addition to more than 40 booths and displays, Eco Expo boasts a main stage featuring speakers, demonstrations and other entertainment. Cooking demonstrations by chefs from Onesto Pizza and Trattoria and L’Ecole Culinaire allow attendees to watch and learn as professionals whip up delicious meals using organic and locally-grown foods.
Also on the main stage visitors can see a demonstration of electric car chargers by LilyPad EV, using a converted, classic Volkswagen Beetle to electric, a presentation by the St. Louis Cardinals about their goal “For a Greener Game,” and hear from the World Bird Sanctuary about how they preserve the Earth′s biological diversity and aid threatened bird species.
The Cadence, a percussion rock group based in Springfield, Missouri, and best known for appearing on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, takes the stage with “Recycled Rock & Roll,” at 1:30pm each day. The Cadence mixes buckets, barrels and just about anything they can find to play to provide “a heart pounding experience.”
For people who want more personal instruction, smaller breakout sessions are planned including sessions on junk removal, green entertaining, urban agriculture, green cleaning, edible native plants, solar power and renewable energy.
The environmental impact of the expo will be cut drastically with the help of AmerenUE. Over the course of two days, credits from AmerenUE’s Pure Power Program will cut the carbon dioxide released by the expo by 50,665 pounds. This is the same impact as not driving 5 cars for an entire year.
For more information, visit ecoexpostlouis.com
Where to Park
You may park on the main Science Center lot ($9) or in Forest Park at the Upper Muny Lot (free). A free shuttle will take visitors to and from the Muny lot and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium every 20 minutes, from 9:30 – 5:30pm each day. Please note: no parking except disabled parking will be available at the Planetarium during Eco Expo.
Click here to download the complete program guide.