Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Friday, October 2, 1998

Release #461-98

Contact: Colleen Roche/Samantha Lugo (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI PROCLAIMS "ECOFEST DAY" IN NEW YORK CITY

Environmental Festival Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today issued a proclamation declaring Sunday, October 4, "EcoFest Day" in New York City. The ceremony officiated by Nanci Callahan, Managing Director of the West Side Cultural Center and Parks Commissioner Henry Stern was followed by EcoFest's environmental celebration near City Hall Park, which officially kicked-off New York's largest environmental festival. The Mayor is serving as Chairman of the EcoFest for the fifth consecutive year.

"All New Yorkers should be environmentally conscious and should work to protect our City's energy resources," Mayor Giuliani said. "We have a fundamental stake in the future of the planet and the well being of future generations. I encourage everyone to join the EcoFest festivities this weekend."

The winner of this year's EcoFest's Poster Contest was 7th grade Jimmy Chen, who beat out thousands of contestants including 23 finalists from New York City schools. The competition was held in conjunction with the New York City Art Teachers Association/United Federation of Teachers. The poster promoting EcoFest '98 can be seen throughout the City.

The Mayor also thanked EcoFest organizers and singled out Nanci Callahan for her commitment and dedication to keeping the environment clean for future generations.

EcoFest's 10th anniversary festival will be held at Manhattan's Riverside Park on Sunday, October 4th from 11am to 6pm. The festivities include EcoWalk '98, a 5K walkathon that supports Environmental Education, and the "Sources Of Energy Other Than Oil (SEOTO) Alternative Energy Vehicle Parade and Exhibition", starting on 86th Street and West End Avenue. The parade will feature a display of innovative alternative-energy technologies including solar car prototypes and electric and natural gas vehicles.

EcoFest will also include the 5th Annual Environmental Conference, with seminars on environmental careers, alternative health, solar energy, eco-travel, and "green" consumer goods and resources. There will be an Eco-Fashion Show and environmentally-conscious performers on two stages, among other activities.

EcoFest is produced by the West Side Cultural Center, a not-for-profit organization co-sponsored by the MTA, NYC Transit Authority, Con Edison, the Port Authority, and the US Postal Service in association with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Other sponsors include the New York Power Authority, Paragon Honda, GM, Nissan, NYSERDA, and Ben & Jerry's. The media sponsors include Time Warner Cable, The Observer and Noticias del Mundo. To contact EcoFest, call (212) 580-7133.

www.ci.nyc.ny.us


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