Greenfest preps for large crowds

About 100,000 people are expected to flock to City Hall Plaza over the next couple of days for the fourth annual Boston Greenfest (BGF). Starting today and running through Saturday, BGF 2011 will celebrate kids, families, and green urban living with a wide range of attractions and learning opportunities.

The three-day fair features children’s activities, healthy food options, and multiple stages of live entertainment, including “the female Houdini” Alexanderia the Great, who will attempt to escape from a tank of water. The festival is free and will include over 225 exhibitors with earth-friendly and healthy products.

The EcoCafe will showcase ethnic, organic, natural, and vegetarian foods and special EcoFood Demos from top local chefs.The EcoBazaar will present eco-friendly products like jewelry, clothing, and household items. The EcoStage will have films and speakers on health and fitness.

The festivities are sponsored by The Foundation for a Green Future, Inc, a Boston-based nonprofit working with local schools, community centers, and neighborhood organizations to educate young and old about the many dimensions of green technologies.

The Foundation carefully screens would-be exhibitors, according to Uphams Corner resident and self-described “old tree-hugger” Bob Carpenter, the BGF Coordinator of Volunteers.

“We check applicants’ websites, and if we see no sign of sustainability initiatives, they won’t be participating. We even question the aspiring performers about their insights and attitudes about sustainability. No dedication means no performance. We’ve grown into a huge event with strong support from the city because of this dedication,” Carpenter said.

Passing muster is everyone in tonight’s eclectic kickoff concert which will feature a Native-American drum and dance ceremony, the youth winners of Music On and Up - Mike Casey Jazz Sextet, Zili Misik, and national R&B favorites Ahmir.

On Friday, the Family Stage, EcoStage, EcoFashion Stage, and Main Stage will be open. Each night, there will be a “Spillover Stage” at the Hard Rock Café when the Main Stage closes at 1:30 a.m.
Parents seeking free places to take their brood will appreciate the Family Stage, hula hoops, an inflatable obstacle course and lots of interactive exhibits. Other youth-friendly attractions include face painting, EcoMan, Sidewalk Sam, demonstrations by the LEGO First Robotics high school teams and the “eco-poetry” section for kids to express their visions in verse.

Friday evening is Noche Latina with a mix of local and national performers, flamenco and folklorico dancing, and an EcoSalsa Fashion Show.

For the detailed schedule of other world music artists including Gypsy, Brazilian, Cape Verdean, Senegalese, and Haitian performers see bostongreenfest.org/schedule.html or find them on Facebook and Twitter.