Ann Arbor welcomes Mission Zero Fest this weekend

(WXYZ) - Mission Zero Fest ­– a unique event unlike anything that’s been seen before – is coming to Ann Arbor Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10.

The two-day event is part green home tour, part sustainability symposium, part environmental exhibition, and part neighborhood block party. Mission Zero Fest celebrates communities that strive to harvest their energy and water needs and produce no waste. The festival seeks to offer grassroots solutions to a complex global problem and inspire a greener, more fulfilling lifestyle in our communities.

“Mission Zero Fest showcases real examples of sustainable living available all around us today. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour some of the most efficient homes in America – right here in Michigan – and gain insight from some of the nation’s leading experts in sustainability and energy efficiency. We hope people will leave this event inspired live with a lighter footprint and armed with the knowledge to take action,” said Mission Zero Fest co-founder and owner of America’s oldest net-zero home Matt Grocoff.

Event highlights include:

• Guided tours of six “green” homes , including America’s oldest net zero home and Ann Arbor’s first LEED ^® Platinum home
• A special Michigan Radio “Issues and Ale” : Climate Change: From Arctic Ice to Your Backyard, hosted by Lester Graham and featuring expert panelists Henry Pollack, Andy Hoffman, and Matt Grocoff (Saturday, 12–2 p.m.)
• Compelling speakers presenting on a variety of topics, such as climate change, green building, practical tips for ultra-efficient homes, eco-friendly landscaping, water conservation, and incentives for energy efficiency projects
• A variety of educational, hands-on workshops on urban gardening, repairing wood windows, bike maintenance, creating a rain garden, and more
• Home energy assessment demonstrations that will give homeowners insight into how to identify simple energy efficiency improvements that can be made in their own homes
• A stellar line-up of music acts performing throughout the day Saturday, including Vienna Teng, Mr. B’s Joybox Express, The Appleseed Collective, Homegrown of Rap for Food, The Tim Haldeman Trio, and FUBAR
• Children’s activities, including a demonstration by local artist David Zinn that invites aspiring artists of all ages to join in and help him create an incredibly life-like, three-dimensional chalk drawing (Saturday afternoon, 2–4 p.m.)
• Clean, quiet, Michigan-harvested electricity for the event supplied through two trailer-mounted solar generators, provided by Patriot Solar Group , a company based in Albion, Michigan

In keeping with the spirit of the festival, a limited number of printed brochures will be available at the event. Instead, iPhone and iPad users are invited to download the Mission Zero Fest app to connect instantly with the latest details about the event, including things to do at Mission Zero Fest and information about sponsors and exhibitors. App users may also view and submit photos from the event and connect with other festival attendees via Facebook, Twitter, and live chat.

Mission Zero Fest takes place Saturday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, June 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Ann Arbor's Water Hill neighborhood , located just northwest of downtown. The festival is free for all ages and is being organized by a collective of regional green organizations, which include Ecology Center, Meadowlark Energy, Clean Energy Coalition, Architectural Resource, Ann Arbor 350, USGBC, GreenovationTV, Recycle.com, Urban Ashes, Meadowlark Builders, Clean Water Action, and the City of Ann Arbor. Learn more at www.missionzerofest.org