ROCHESTER – The 4th Annual Earth Day Expo brought well over 50,000 area residents interested in green and healthy living to downtown Rochester last weekend. Visitors enjoyed local food, family fun, educational and networking opportunities, and exhibits by 170 exhibitors during the two-day event. The Earth Day Expo was, by far, Michigan’s largest Earth Day celebration.

This year’s event went above and beyond its well established reputation by expanding its reach to businesses throughout Michigan; expanding its walls, so to speak, by moving from the campus of Oakland University to downtown Rochester; and by expanding to over 120,000 square feet, including over 30,000 of tent covered venues, luckily unneeded with rain holding off until after the event. Along with the exhibits, the expo offered 50 presentations, films, electric vehicle and renewable energy displays, VIP speakers, organic food service, kids activities, ethnic and pop musical acts, an appearance by Miss Earth Michigan, and much more.

“We’re thrilled at the support the Earth Day Expo received from the community,” said John Batdorf, Expo Manager and Executive Director of Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center. “We feel like we met our goals of promoting interest in healthy, earth-friendly living, supporting the emerging green economy, and showcasing the green initiatives of non-profits and government. We wanted the expo to be a catalyst for the growing Earth Day movement and at the same time provide an avenue for people to become educated in the uses of green alternatives in their home, energy-use, food, wellness and transportation and we succeeded beyond our expectations.”

Local businesses showed tremendous support for the Expo, especially venue sponsor, Mind, Body & Spirits, which hosted a VIP Welcome Reception, and several major sponsors, including Whole Foods Market, Trent Design, Meijer, ITC Transmission, Chrysler ENVI, Frank Rewold & Son, Renewal by Andersen, Pure Eco Environmental Services and The Home Depot, whose support allowed the organizers to offer the event f r e e of charge to the public.

Local and state government partnerships, including those with Oakland County Parks and Planning & Economic Development, Rochester City & DDA, and MI Dept. of Energy provided vital program and other support. Many media partners helped get the word out, including Natural Awakenings, Healing Garden Journal, and Edible WOW magazines, CW50 and CMN television, and AM580 and CBS Detroit Radio. Live television coverage was provided by WXYZ Channel 7 and WJBK Fox 2.

The organizers wish to thank all the participants including a dedicated staff and many volunteers. Proceeds from the Expo will benefit Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center (UHEAC), whose mission is to promote sustainable relationships with the natural world and each other. For additional information about the UHEAC or the Earth Day Expo, please click on UHEAC.Org or EarthDayExpo.Org

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