Lavender Lake will be decidedly green this weekend.
A first-of-its-kind festival, called Gowanus Goes Green, is scheduled along the canal on Sunday, June 1, on Carroll Street between Bond and Nevins streets.
The festival will feature natural food, local green businesses and not-for-profit organizations showcasing their goods and services, as well as live music from the Defibulators, a local rockabilly band.
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Yard, an open air space framed by two silos, at 388-400 Carroll. Admission is free.
“There is so much to celebrate around the canal—its ongoing cleanup efforts, the Public Place development, and, of course, our idea for creating a Sponge Park [which could sop up contaminants] around the canal,” said Bob Zuckerman, executive director of the conservancy.
“We really wanted to have a family-friendly festival for everyone who lives near the canal and its surrounding communities, and now we have one right on the canal’s banks,” he added.
Space will abound, allowing kids ample opportunity to run around under the trees while they listen to the band, check out the skimmer vessel, and snack on environmentally responsible treats.
Planned children’s activities include do-it-yourself art projects using discarded materials, crafts projects and a letter-writing campaign with Parents for Climate Protection, natural toys and arts and crafts with Waldorf Handworks, organic baby and toddler clothes from Farmer Kids, face painting and more.
Food and beverages provided by V-Spot vegan restaurant, Union Hall and others will be available for purchase and will be served in The Yard with picnic tables and open-air seating.
The canal has made strides since being dubbed Lavender Lake—for the myriad pollutants which turned the water an alarming array of colors. The city is planning $200 million in restorations that are expected to improve water quality by 2012.
For more information about the festival, visit www.gowanuscanalconservancy.com or call (718) 858-0557.
