Sweetwater 420 Fest announces eco-oriented workshops and activities for two-day Earth Day celebration in Atlanta April 18-19

Atlanta, Georgia (April 6, 2009) - 5th Annual Sweetwater 420 Fest, a two-day music and arts festival celebrating Earth Day, has announced the workshop and environmental activities lineup for the “Planet 420” village. The eco-oriented festival will be held in Atlanta’s historic Candler Park this Saturday, April 18 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, April 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. A diverse range of activities for all ages, from environmental workshops to yoga, will be featured at this year’s festival along with nonstop music, food, and fun. The full schedule of eco-oriented activities is listed below. 

Admission to the festival is free for live music, food, and eco-oriented activities and educational experiences. Festival goers 21+ and with a valid ID can purchase a $5 wristband to responsibly enjoy SweetWater beer and wine. A portion of proceeds from wristband sales is donated to Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, to make improvements to Candler Park. 

In an effort to limit the impact the festival has on the neighborhood and to fulfill SweetWater 420 Fest’s environmental mission, festival organizers encourage everyone to do their part and take MARTA. The festival is conveniently located just two blocks from the Candler Park MARTA station.

Visit www.sweetwater420fest.com for the live music lineup, additional information, updates, and directions. 

Planet 420 Village Lineup:

Yoga & Breathing
Presented by: Jai Shanti Yoga
Join Bill Hufschmidt for an hour of playful yoga in the park for all ages and abilities. Bill is the owner of Jai Shanti Yoga, which makes its home in Candler Park on Dekalb Avenue. Visit www.jaishantiyoga.com. 

Solar Introduction
Presented by: United Renewable Energy 
United Renewable Energy offers a workshop that is accessible to all ages to introduce how solar energy works. Experts will demonstrate the flow of DC electricity from a solar panel into an inverter and then to power typical household items. Visit www.u-renew.com. 

Tapped Out: The Drying Up of Atlanta
Presented by: Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper
Upper Chattahoochee River Keeper's presentation examines the causes of the water crisis in the Chattahoochee River watershed and offers practical solutions for citizens, business people, and policy-makers. Visit www.chattahoochee.org. 

Fix a Flat 
Presented by: Atlanta Bicycle Campaign
Don't worry about getting stranded; learn how to fix a flat bicycle tire. You'll be surprised at how easy it is! Visit www.atlantabike2.org. 

Why people of faith should be involved? Caring for Creation as a religious response. 
Presented by: GA Interfaith Power and Light
A general overview of the theological issues involved in thinking about some major environmental threats. The focus is broadly on stewardship and the ways in which our understandings of God should lead us into an active concern for creation. Depending on the audience and their interests, different sacred texts and faith traditions can be addressed. Visit www.gipl.org.

What congregations can do to care for creation. 
Presented by: GA Interfaith Power and Light 
There are proven ways to rally your congregation for the work of changing our energy behaviors. Learn about some basic principles, listen to stories of how others have organized efforts, and discuss the possibilities in your congregation. Visit www.gipl.org.

Kitchen Composting 
Presented by: Funny Farm 
Keep your organic trash out of the landfill and turn it into something useful. Part I: Learn how to make a simple worm bin to turn kitchen scraps into rich compost by harnessing the power of worms. Part II: Grow delicious gourmet mushrooms on your old coffee grounds and tea leaves. Turn waste into nutritious delicious food. Visit http://tinyurl.com/funnyfarm.

Making Biofuel from Waste Oil
Presented by: Refuel Biodiesel 
In this hands-on workshop, Refuel Biodiesel's Rob Del Bueno will demonstrate how used fryer oil is converted into cleaner burning renewable Biodiesel. Learn how Refuel provides a locally made fuel from a locally generated waste oils. Visit www.refuelbiodiesel.org. 

Rhythm of the Drum 
Presented by: Gaurav Malhotra from Captain Soularcat
Join Gaurav and friends as they explore the communal ancient rhythms of hand drums. 

$20 Bucks and a Green Home 
Presented by: Marion Webb, EcoBroker®
The Ultimate Greening Expert - Marion Webb, EcoBroker® - presents inexpensive ways to save money, lower your home energy bills and save the planet.

Kids Activities: 

Circus Camp
Professional circus and variety arts entertainers will be on hand to entertain, teach and have fun. Learn how your child can run away with the circus this summer. Visit www.circuscamp.org.

Recycle Michael
Come check out Recycle Michael and his friends as they explore recycling through song and dance. Visit www.greenschoolnetwork.org. 

United Renewable Energy 
Green collar workers will explain the science, engineering, and power behind solar energy with hands-on educational tools and toys for kids. Visit www.u-renew.com. 

Going Green Horticultural
Going Green Horticultural will lead an exciting and informational conversation with children of all ages about the benefits of insects in your garden. All bugs have "jobs" learn and see how they work in your yard. We will have live insects for viewing and will give out instructions for building bug houses. Visit www.goinggreenhorticultural.com. 

Sierra Club’s 2009 Earth Day Coloring Contest
Enter the 2009 Earth Day coloring contest! Elementary school students are invited to color in their application to the 2009 Earth Day coloring contest, sponsored by Georgians for Smart Energy, Sweetwater Brewery Company, and Sierra Club. The winner of the Kids Coloring Contest will be announced Mother’s Day weekend, and will be awarded the cover and a special printed feature in Sierran magazine. Contact erin.glynn@sierraclub.org if you would like to enroll your student in this environmentally friendly competition! 

Kids Yoga with Jah Shanti Yoga
Utilizing traditional yoga poses, music, art, reading and dance, children will learn body awareness self-confidence, and breath control in a fun, create environment. Giving your child room to explore his or her imagination and physical ability, instructor Nicole Jurovics’ class includes plenty of animal noises, magic-carpet rides, laughter, and learning! 

*Lineup subject to change.