ROMULUS – The City of Romulus' fourth annual "Eco-Fair" is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 14, at the Romulus Athletic Center, 35765 Northline Road.

The free event – a celebration of Earth Day – is open to the public and features interesting exhibits, speakers and take-aways for people of all ages.

Local and regional environmentally-friendly organizations and vendors will participate. There will be free activities and door prizes.

"It's all about our environment," said Christine Rohn, a master gardener and the founder of the Romulus Garden Club. "It's about being eco-friendly, going green and conserving energy and water. We all want to have clean air and water and to be able to grow good food for our children and grandchildren. We'll have presentations on the importance of recycling, how to plant and why not to use insecticides and pesticides. We'll have all that and more all in one place."

The Eco-Fair was started by City of Romulus Director of Community Services Jazmine Danci, who planned a similar event while in college at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She earned a masters degree at the University of Michigan.

"I have my bachelors and masters degrees in environmental sustainability, so Earth Day is something very close to my heart," she said. "It's actually my favorite holiday."

This year's eco-friendly vendors and some of their topics include:

· Huron-Clinton Metroparks – parks information

· DTE Energy – energy efficiency

· Romulus Public Library – seed savings/seed library; books about conservation

· Romulus Garden Club – gardening tips

· Michigan State University Extension Council – health and wellness

· Southeastern Michigan Butterfly Association – pollinators

· Romulus Schools Recycling – living green and clean

· Michigan State Master Gardeners – produce and plants

· Old City Acres Farm – local

organic farmer Alex Ball

· Sierra Club

· Michigan Botanical Club

· Waste Management

Rohn, who is a senior secretary with the Romulus Ordinance Department and Animal Control, will be one of at least three speakers during the day. She will talk about planting, soil, eco-friendly pesticides and what you need to do for a healthy garden.

After each speaker, door prizes will be awarded to someone in the audience.

There also will be crafts for children, who will have the opportunity to create a planter out of recycled newspapers.

"Gardening is my labor of love," Rohn said. "Even though it can be hard work, it's my passion – my special gift from God."

For more information about the Romulus Eco-Fair, call (734) 634-3812.