ENCINITAS — With the 10th installment of EcoFest Encinitas rapidly approaching, organizers are kicking off the event planning with a soiree in itself.
EcoFest will host a kickoff party 5 p.m. tonight at the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, and it has drafted former Encinitas Mayor and Engage Encinitas co-founder Teresa Barth as the event’s keynote speaker.
Barth, who currently serves as Engage Encinitas’ president, is scheduled to speak on the importance of community participation and making EcoFest a ‘by the people for the people’ event.
The kickoff will allow for volunteers to convene and people and potential exhibitors to begin the process of collaboration and organizing the event.
During its ninth year, EcoFest made a major move from its usual location at Cottonwood Creek Park to the Ecke Ranch property, which is now owned by the Leichtag Foundation. There, the event expanded to more than 100 green exhibitors, 25 family-friendly activities, green cuisine, a craft beer tent and an eco car show, among the highlights.
Other highlights included a Taste of Organics Food & Lifestyle Pavilion; a Health, Wellness & Fitness Pavilion; a Solar & Energy Pavilion; an Ocean & Water Conservation Pavilion; an Earth (Gardening, Composting and Landscaping) Pavilion; a Recycled Art Pavilion, Green Schools Pavilion and more.
