Coming on the heels of the worldwide attention currently focused on climate change, the Ajijic Recycling Committee and the Lake Chapala Society (LCS) have partnered to host the Fiesta of Environment and Recycling Saturday, October 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the LCS grounds (16 de Septiembre 16A, Ajijic).
The program will feature presentations on the environment, fun learning activities for children, silent and live auctions with great goodies up for grabs, and free food and soft drinks for guests. The entrance “fee” is one recyclable item per person.
The twin goals of the timely event are to increase public awareness on ways local residents can positively impact the environment and to raise funds to help equip the Ajijic recycling project for greater efficiency and income.
Keynote speakers will be Aranzazú Arámbula and Dominique Melhado Basurto from Comunidad de Enlace Ambiental, who will discuss “Climate Reality.” Their talk, to be delivered sequentially in Spanish and English, will explore threats to the environment attributed to climate change.
Early bird guests will be welcomed with free coffee, donuts and croissants available until 10:30 a.m., when Chapala Mayor Moisés Anaya is expected to deliver the Fiesta’s opening remarks. The keynote addresses and presentations by the Ajijic Recycling Committee will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., along with innovative activities and games geared for children.
The silent auction will be open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Live auctions, offering a broad array of merchandise, gourmet offerings and unique experience opportunities, will start at 1:30 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m.
From 1 to 4 p.m., various local restaurants will be providing light snacks and soft drinks, while two local bands perform. An open cash bar will also be available from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Recycling Committee of Ajijic was formed in December of last year to unite community members with the local government to improve the environmental quality at lakeside. Initial observations suggest that the project has been very successful, evidenced by the full, blue cestos (recycling collection bins) installed throughout the village.
Fiesta organizers stress that this outreach to the community will help carry that success forward and increase awareness and participation in what is a vital community effort. “By doing our part we can help to impact progress in the world at large by improving our local environment,” said a statement from organizers.
All proceeds received from the sale of recycled materials are to be spent on beneficial community projects.