Third-annual EcoFair set for this Saturday

BRIGHTON — Residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the environment and recycle unwanted goods Saturday at the city’s third annual Ecofair. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Brighton Cultural Center, 300 Strong St.
    Event leader Dave Gallegos said Ecofair is designed to teach attendees about the state of the environment, energy conservation and alternative energy resources. Brighton residents will also be able to bring electronics, confidential documents, athletic shoes, cell phones and even glasses for recycling.
“The community has seemed to really identify with this and relate to it and (they bring) their stuff pretty religiously, and we really appreciate it,” he said. “We think we’ve hit on something here that’s a need in the community and we’re more than happy to be able to fulfill that need.”
According to Gallegos, all items dropped off will be recycled in an environmentally friendly and responsible way. He said cell phones will be reused via the cell phones for soldiers program; athletic shoes — those without cleats — will be given to Nike to be made into playground and track surfaces; and eye glasses will be given to the local Lions Club. For the paper recycling, Gallegos said people are able to bring three boxes or one garbage bag of paper and confidential documents to be shredded on site.
    There will also be information booths and fun for the entire family. Gallegos said there will be a bounce house, face painting, crafts by Anythink Library, a dance stage and an alpaca petting zoo.
    The event is made possible through grant funding from the Brighton Cultural Arts Commission and the Scientific Cultural Facilities District.
    “It started out relatively small with 500 to 600 people attending and recycling… but the numbers were very large regarding the recycling part of it,” he said. “Now we’ve built it up to between 1,500 to 2,000 people and we hope to have that again this year.”