'It's Not Easy Being Green'... or is it? [VIDEO]

The is going green, at least in spirit, this Saturday.

Peabody's senior center is hosting the second annual GreenFest, put on the GreenPeabody Committee. The event is both a celebration of all things green, environmentally friendly and practical for Peabody residents to both save resources and money.

As a way to promote the event this year, GreenPeabody filmed two public service announcements with city officials and business leaders, pledging their support for the effort and talking about the merits of the work the committee is doing. The group was formed as an ad hoc committee by former Mayor Michael Bonfanti in 2009.

Mayor Ted Bettencourt says he plans to continue supporting the group and will be down at the Torigian Center again this year with his family. He said it's a great opportunity for residents to discuss and learn about energy efficiency and conservation with local businesses.

"Now as mayor of the city it's something I want to build upon and make even bigger every year," Bettencourt said in the PSA.

Saturday's event (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.) is free to attend and will feature about 40 exhibitors showing off a wide range of green products and services, from organic grocers to landscapers and solar energy. Heaven’s Harvest Farm, which will be a new addition to the Peabody Farmers Market this summer, will be selling produce Saturday as well.

The , Salem State University and the Mass Environmental Trust will also be among the exhibitors. Peabody Patch will also be there with a booth.

There will also be live presentations and workshops, including one from Chip Osborne, a nationally recognized soil biologist and expert on green lawn and turf management. Grace Ventura will talk "Hungry for Change" -- practical tips on how to green your kitchen table, while Chuck Holden of talks about what's up with gasoline prices.

And there are also some practical benefits to checking out the event -- is offering free bulk paper shredding from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. and you can also bring your old electronics with you to properly recycle for a nominal fee (CRT TVs or computer monitors, printers, iPods, etc).

This year, GreenPeabody has also entered into a formal partnership with the Peabody Public Schools. School Committee members and school officials wholeheartedly supported that collaboration when asked for a vote of approval earlier this month.

"Green Teams" were established at several schools and GreenPeabody is offering a scholarship to this year's graduating class. All high school seniors who are permanent Peabody residents are eligible. The scholarship will be given to those who have been active in community and academic activities that are focused in green initiatives. The winners will be announced Saturday.

For more details on GreenFest 2012, go to www.greenpeabody.org/greenfest.