Fair’s 75th Women’s Day highlights sustainability
2009-09-02
Celebrity chef Bobby Flay, rocker Rick Springfield and boxer Christy Martin all featured today
The woman behind the creation of the first "green-certified" private home in New York State will headline this year's Women's Day Luncheon, anchoring a full agenda of events aimed at women and families.
Professor Elet Callahan of Syracuse University will discuss "A Ticket to Sustainability at Home," during the 11 a.m. luncheon today at the Art & Home Center's Empire Room.
The Women's Day Luncheon will feature foods grown or produced in New York State. Mercers Dairy will provide samples of wine ice cream during the luncheon, and there will be drawings for several door prizes.
Callahan is the faculty director of the Sustainable Enterprise Partnership, a collaboration of Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management, the State University of New York for Environmental Science and Forestry, and the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems.
She and her family designed and built the first home in New York State to earn LEED certification from the US Green Building Council. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) council recognizes buildings that are designed and built to save energy, reduce CO2 emissions, conserve water, and responsibly manage natural resources.
The 75th annual State Fair Women's Day will kick off at 10 a.m. with a reception hosted by P&C in the Stickley Room of the Art and Home Center.
A woman's informational mini-fair, featuring booths set up by women's advocacy organizations, also starts at 10 a.m. The mini-fair will be in the Chevy Court Pavilion and continue until 4 p.m. Some of this year's participants include W.I.S.E (Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship), Vera House, Women's Opportunity Center, and Cancer Services Program Partnership.
After the luncheon, attendees are encouraged to attend the 1 pm cooking demonstration on the Chevy Court stage by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. Flay, of Food Network fame, will participate in a book signing from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. A limited number of Flay's new book, "Burgers, Fries and Shakes," will be available for purchase at the Pride of New York Marketplace for $25.95. Fairgoers are encouraged to bring their own copies of the book to the signing.
In the evening, Rick Springfield takes the stage to woo fans with songs such as "Jessie's Girl" and "Love Somebody." The ageless rocker, who had a string of hits in the 1980s, may be better known among some visitors for his recurring role on the daytime drama "General Hospital."
In the Grandstand, Christy Martin, one of the most famous woman boxers in history, will headline Fight Night at the Fair. Martin, who has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated, will look for her 49th win at 7:30pm, September 2. Her current record is 48 wins (31 KOs), 5 losses, and 3 draws. Tickets are on sale now at the Fair Box Office and through Ticketmaster for $20 and $15.
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