PORTAGE. MI –

It’s a celebration for Earth Day and a chance for

youth to do something for their community at the fifth annual Green-A-Thon 2013 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at the Celery Flats Historical Area.

The Portage Youth Advisory Committee in cooperation with the Portage Environmental Board and Park Board again hosts the annual free event featuring free live music, games, free seedlings, giveaways and representatives from more than 25 local organizations and businesses.

The idea of the Earth Day Festival event, said members of the Portage Youth Advisory Committee is to provide education about environmental ideas that can be used at home or work.

Among the exhibitors will be the Western Michigan University Solar Car Team, Four Elements Energy, Solar Winds Power Systems, Solar Solutions of Michigan, Metro Toyota, the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society, Portage Partners 4-H and Breakaway Bicycles.

Giveaways will include 300 seedlings of Sugar Maple, Shadblow Serviceberry and White Pine trees.

The Portage Youth Advisory Committee was created by the Portage City Council in 2008 to give Portage students an opportunity to share ideas and participate in local government. It also sponsors the annual Snow Party that takes place in February.

The Green-A-Thon is free, and will go on rain or shine.

For more information, go to www.portagemi.gov or contact Adam Herringa, deputy city clerk, at 269-329-4511 or herringa@portagemi.gov.