This town's first Earth Day celebration will be the kickoff for a yearlong push to urge recycling and reduced energy consumption among business owners and town employees.
"What this campaign has turned into is an effort to educate residents and businesses about how they can become more environmentally friendly," said Viriginia LeClair, Dedham's environmental coordinator.
The event comes on the heels of the installation of new bike racks on Tuesday by the Department of Public Works. The $4,000 cost for the 10 racks - which hold eight bikes each - will be reimbursed by the Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council, said Economic Development Director Karen O'Connell. Shipping and handling costs were paid by Dedham Square Circle and the Dedham Civic Pride Committee.
Dedham's first Earth Day will kick off in the square tomorrow and Sunday, in advance of the official Earth Day, which is Tuesday this year.
The Earth Day events were born of a collaboration between the Conservation Commission and Dedham Square Circle, a community group and coalition of merchants in Dedham Square.
As a result of the partnership, the square's business owners are the linchpin of Saturday's events.
Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., stores like Cheeky Diva, Dedham Bike and Leather and Armando Cassano Hair Studio will offer 20 to 25 percent discounts to shoppers who sign a pledge to reduce carbon emissions. The pledge will be available at the new Cafe Video Paradiso on High Street.
Shoppers who sign the pledge will get a green stamp on their finger that will get them discounts at the participating stores.
"The goal is to bring people to the square while learning ways to save the environment," said Amy Haelson, executive director of Dedham Square Circle.
On Sunday, the main event will be the 10 a.m. screening of "The End of Suburbia" at Dedham Community Theater, a documentary about the suburban lifestyle in the face of the dwindling fossil fuel supply. The movie will be shown at the Dedham Community Theater.
The weekend is the start of a year-long "Think Green" campaign to heighten awareness among town employees and business owners about climate change, recycling and waste reduction, said LeClair. Town Hall employees will be receiving an e-mail listing ways to "green" their offices.
And beginning July 9, a farmers market will be held every Wednesday between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. until Oct. 29 in the permit parking lot across from Citizens Bank in Dedham Square.
Daily News staff writer Anna Kivlan can be reached at 781-433-8336 or at akivlan@cnc.com
