After a four year hiatus, an all-ages expo that focuses on protecting wildlife and native plants and ecotourism is returning to London.
Carolinian Canada's Go Wild Grow Wild Green Expo is being held at the Western Fair District Agriplex on Florence Street from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. The opening ceremony will include a traditional Indigenous welcome and prayer by a local elder.
"We are really excited to be bringing the expo back this year with a reimagined inclusive vision that focuses on ecological solutions and also reconciliation and ethical space that are making a difference for nature in southwestern Ontario," said Siobhan Mullally, network specialist at Carolinian Canada.
The event will include more than 75 exhibitors, speakers, and food vendors.
"There will be something for everyone," said Mullally. "There are kids activities, a rock wall, and snake wildlife shows where you can meet the snakes up close...There will be lots of talks, so you can listen to Indigenous stories of the land and learn how to protect native wildlife. There will also be an indoor pop-up forest that includes a forest therapy walk-thru for people to enjoy."
The expo was held each year for five years before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic saw it put on pause. It used to draw between 3,000 to 5,000 people.
"We are excited to see what the turn out will be this year and how it will grow in future years," said Mullally.
Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for teenagers, and kids 12 and under get in for free. Money raised through ticket sales will be used to fund future activities by Carolinian Canada, which works to promote a green future with healthy landscapes.
"Part of the funds will also go toward the Indigenous leadership pillar of Carolinian Canada that is doing amazing work with Indigenous youth," said Mullally, who added that the pillar also has an Indigenous student bursary which will be launching in the near future.
Tickets for the show can be purchased online at caroliniancanada.ca/expo or in-person at the door the day of the event.