For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 18, 2016 Montgomery County is encouraging residents to mark their calendars for the 2nd Annual GreenFest celebration. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Takoma Park Community Center at 7500 Maple Avenue. The event will be held rain or shine. The featured speaker this year is Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. McCarthy has led the nation’s top environmental agency since 2013. Throughout her career, McCarthy has been dedicated to common-sense strategies that protect public health and the environment and has helped coordinate policies on economic growth, energy and transportation. Joining County Executive Leggett and McCarthy will be County Department of Environmental Protection Director Lisa Feldt and City of Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart. GreenFest, the County’s largest one-day environmental celebration, is a free, family-friendly event dedicated to helping county residents explore their path to a greener and economically vibrant life by connecting them with local and national leaders, green businesses and neighbors. The event features workshops, more than 80 exhibitors and vendors, environmental experts and informational panels, and a film from the “Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital”. Entertainment includes musical acts, an electric vehicle car show, kids activities, book readings, and greeting card reuse crafts with the Silver Spring Timebank. Food will be available for purchase. Two award ceremonies will be held as part of the celebration. The annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful awards, in partnership with the County Department of Transportation will be presented. These awards honor residents, businesses, nonprofits and other organizations who have submitted the best landscaping projects to improve the appearance of the County or support environmental goals. The Takoma Park Neighborhood Energy Challenge Awards recognize Takoma Park neighborhoods with the most certified Green Homes and biggest reductions in energy use. The Montgomery County GreenFest is planned by a coalition of partners, including the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, Montgomery Parks, the cities of Takoma Park, Gaithersburg and Rockville, University of Maryland Extension, Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and four local community green groups — Bethesda Green, GreenWheaton, Poolesville Green, and Silver Spring Green. Parking will be available at Piney Branch Elementary School and public lots, with accessible parking behind the library. The City of Takoma Park is sponsoring a free, accessible shuttle that will rotate between the Takoma Metro station, nearby parking and downtown Takoma Park to the event. GreenFest also encourages taking the bus, biking, or walking to the event. Sign language interpreters and other auxiliary aids or services are available upon request, with as much advance notice as possible, preferably at least three business days before GreenFest. Contact Jessica Jones at 240-777-7753 (voice) or send a request to askdep@montgomerycountymd.gov. TTY users use Maryland Relay. For more information and updates on activities and the schedule, visit www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org. Share the hashtag #MCGreenFest on social media. # # # Release ID: 16-074 Media Contact: Judy Stiles 240-777-6507

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