By Clayton Stairs

cstairs@gtowntimes.com

Taking care of ourselves and our planet was the message of an event in Georgetown this weekend.

Organizers say more than 500 people attended the first George Goes Green festival at East Bay Park Saturday.

It was hosted by the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce.

"We are very pleased with the turnout," Chamber President Annette Fisher said during the event. "It is wonderful to see everyone learning new things about living green."

The purpose of George Goes Green, Fisher said, was to bring residents together with local business and non-profit organizations to share knowledge, ideas and products to help people live a less wasteful life and contribute to a more sustainable world.

With a long list of local sponsors and vendors, and a line-up of entertainers and expert presenters, many people and businesses from this area helped make the event a success.

"A lot of companies and organizations are here already doing things to be more responsible and this event has helped make people more aware of that," said Pat Tukey, a member of the Chamber Board.

Children participated in activities designed just for them in the Kids Zone sponsored by Wal-Mart, including adding color and recycled products to a Georgetown streetscape and games using eco-friendly materials.

Fisher said the Chamber is planning to hold a second event next year, as well as offering some of this year's presenters during Chamber breakfasts and lunches.

Results from surveys about commercial and a residential recycling will be published by local media in the next two weeks, she said.