On Friday April 20, from 6 to 10 p.m., Earthtec Outfittersin conjunction with Green Alliancewill hold a Party for the Planet at its West Road warehouse, located directly behind the Market Basket on Lafayette Road (Route 1).
Live music, beer, a free raw bar, and green vendors will be featured. Earthtec owner Dennis Randall, who just recently launched a retail location in downtown Portsmouth says he hopes the Earth Day soiree will help refocus attention to Earthtec's flagship location.
We've held a handful of similar events here, and the crowds were always enthusiastic, he says. His store specializes in durable outerwear made from recycled plastic bottles. We felt it was a good way to remind people of the great green community we're a part of, while giving them a little more space than our downtown storefront might provide.
The evening's events will include mini seminars presented by Green Alliance Business Partners, according to Green Alliance Director Sarah Brown. Brown, who launched the Portsmouth-based green business union and consumer discount co-op four years ago, hopes the event will be as much about celebrating accomplishments as it will acknowledging future challenges.
Looking back, it's unbelievable how far the Seacoast has come in terms of supporting green commerce, and helping foster a genuine green community, she says. At the same time, we still have a ton of work to do, which is why we wanted the event to be about educating the public about the great things these businesses are working on for the future.
Brown says the seminars will be conducted like a kind of green speed-dating, with attendees moving from business to business in 15 or 20 minute intervals.
Earthtec, for example, will reveal how they transform 12 Number Two plastic bottles into one a fleece jackets, while SEA Solar Store owner Jack Bingham will offer up a brief tutorial on the financial benefits of solar hot water technology.
Despite the emphasis on consumer education, Brown says the Party for the Planet will remain true to its name.
It's a Friday, it's Earth Day weekend we want people to come out and have a good time with some great, green-minded company, she says. Yes, saving the planet is a serious endeavor but that doesn't mean we can't have fun doing it, and create a dynamic and lasting community around that common goal.
Mary Doane, owner of Mary's Dogs, a dog rescue and adoption service and one of the GA's newest Business Partners, will be on hand with a few of her adorable adoption hopefuls.
Robert's Maine Grill will be providing free appetizers in his raw bar, and Metal Wave, an Amesbury, Mass.-based operation focusing on domestic recycling of e-waste and other high-tech refusewill be on hand to accept any spent CFL light bulbs, batteries, cell phones, and other electronics for their eco-conscious processing.
The event is free for Green Alliance members. Non-members can purchase a combined party ticket and membership for $20 at the door just over half of a standard $35 annual membership fee.
Green Alliance membership, represented by a credit card-sized Green Card," offers exclusive discounts to more than 100 local green businesses, from restaurants including the Portsmouth Brewery and Pocos to yoga studios, construction companies, home improvement retailers, and more.
While at Earthtec, members can take advantage of the store's 10 percent GA discount off all store items at the downtown Portsmouth location.
Whether you're in the mood for great green company, dynamic green education, or a simple Friday Night wind-down among friends, Party for the Planet promises to have a little something for everyone.
Over the years, we've hosted events that were heavy on education, and events that were more casual, says Brown. So we figured, why not do both?
Learn more about the Green Alliance and join the community at www.greenalliance.biz.
Find out about Earthtec at www.earthtec.com.
Current Issue - May 2024