Washington will turn “green” on Saturday June 2 when the Washington Business Improvement District kicks off its 2018 Farmers’ Market season with its annual GreenFest.

The GreenFest is sponsored by Hackettstown Medical Center.

Indeed, there will be plenty of family-friendly “green” fun as a host of specialty vendors, kids’ activities, farmers, and live music devoted to the green theme “set up shop” in the Pocket Park in the center of Downtown Washington from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The weekly farmers’ market then takes place every Saturday through the end of September, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market will always be held along Route 57, anchored in the Pocket Park, located at 44 E. Washington Ave. (Route 57).

The GreenFest Team, a dedicated group of area residents, “strives to raise awareness regarding environmental concerns and how consumers can reduce their impact on the earth by selecting sustainable, eco-friendly products and services, reducing energy consumption, conserving water, and limiting their dependence on fossil fuels.”

To that end, there will be much on display on June 2.

Among the participating groups and vendors so far scheduled include include Dove Environmental Education, NJ Clean Communities, Warren Garden Club, Origami Owl, Norwex, Musconetcong Watershed Association, AdVOcare, Plarn demonstration by Kathie Luton, Warren Hills Regional High School SAVE Club. paper shredding at Serendipity ($10 per box), ShopRite, and solar energy exhibits. There will also be environmentally friendly “green vehicles” from Smith Motors and Rossi Chevrolet Buick GMC on display. Other groups are also expected.

The event also features two special musical acts: Dende’s Recycled Sounds and World Percussion with Chuck Wood (pictured).

Dende’s Recycled Sounds is a project that developed out of world renowned percussionist Dendê Macêdo’s interest in making instruments out of found materials. Over the years he has created a trove of instruments including a bucket shekere, a golf club berimbau, a tire drum, and a trash can snare drum that was incorporated into a line of instruments manufactured by Latin Percussion.

Wood, who will lead a trio of drummers, is a world traveled musician who ignites audiences with his intense performances. A multi-percussionist from Northwest New Jersey, Wood has recorded and toured the U.S. with his friend Arjun Alan Bruggeman (currently with Krishna Das) in their world percussion band known as Ghandharva.  He has also appeared live or recorded with Neal Casal, Michael Franti, David Darling, John Ginty, Robert Randolph, Tribe After Tribe (featuring the South African musician Robbie Robb, Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam and Doug Pinnick of King’s X) Three Fish, Anthony Krizon (Spin Doctors), From Good Homes, Roamin’ Gabriels, and Ganga Giri. The instruments he plays are West African in nature, including the  djembe,  doun doun and shekeree; some are also rooted in the South American culture such as the  congas and berimbau.

Also, the following farmers and vendors will be onsite for the event: Zips Fresh Produce, Asbury Village Farm, Maxwell’s Farm, Stone Row Acres, Weeble Wobble Honey Farm, Reiner’s Farm, Do Good! Goods, FreeSpir Chocolates, Dandy Lion Acres, G Fix Drawings, Crafty Ceramics, DeBella Woodworx, and Avon.

Throughout the Farmers’ Market season look for special activities, live music events, and other fun programming. For more information, please contact the WBID,admin@washingtonbid.org, via the BID’s website at www.washingtonbid.org, or call 908-689-4800.  Visit the Farmers’ Market Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/WashingtonBoroughNJFarmersMarket.