Skip Navigation

RFH 2010, Cover Stories, Village of Hamilton

July Fourth Goes Green Again

Wed, May 11, 2011

This year's Fourth of July parade will have an environmental theme again.

The 2011 Hamilton Fourth of July celebration ("Red, White and Blue") will continue a tradition started in 2009 with "It's Patriotic to be Green." All parade entries are encouraged to showcase their environmental stewardship by "going green" this Fourth of July.  

All Fourth of July entries that promote sustainability either by using recycled materials for their float construction such as old wood, cardboard, recycled paper, or colored plastic bottles or who send a message promoting sustainability at home or in our county will be considered for the prestigious Hamilton Fourth of July Green Award. The "greenest" parade entry will win a cash award, will be recognized on the Hamilton Fourth of July website and will keep the Hamilton Fourth of July "Green Trophy" for a year.

This trophy was designed and constructed using recycled materials by David Grace of Earthworks Design Studio in Hamilton.

Going green this Fourth of July is not limited to parade entries. The organizing committee urges folks to incorporate green practices into their days. They suggest performing one Personal Sustainability Practice (PSP) to support our environment such as: 

  • Avoid using plastic bags for the day!  Use reusable tote bags instead.
  • Avoid using one-time use disposable plastic or Styrofoam cups. Use reusable cups or refillable water containers instead.
  • Walk or bike to the parade.
  • Carpool with neighbors or friends.
  • Replace one old incandescent light bulb with one energy efficient compact fluorescent (CFL’s) bulb.
  • Wash laundry in cold or warm water.
  • Recycle all paper, bottles and cans.
  • Compost your food waste instead of putting it in the trash.

These are just a few of many potential green practices you could commit to this Fourth of July.

For more ideas and to let us know what you will be doing for the environment this Fourth of July, visit the Hamilton Fourth of July website at http://www.hamiltonny.com/4thofjuly/index.htm

Please login to post your comments.