Green is the color of metro-area festivals this year. No, we're not talking about money, but a renewed effort to control waste through environmentally friendly initiatives. Grand Old Day's parade theme, for example, is "It's Grand Being Green." The annual festival along Grand Avenue in St. Paul will encourage guests to walk, bike or take public transportation to the event.

Rondo Days Festival director Donna Miller said this is the second year Rondo Days has been green. The festival provides workshops to teach vendors about using recyclable and compostable products. Miller said the goal of the organization is for Rondo Days to generate zero waste by 2010. Last year they met their goal of reducing waste by 50 percent and this year they hope to see a 75 percent reduction.

"Just to give you an idea, in 2007 it took us eight hours to clean the park and surrounding neighborhood [after the event]. Last year it took an hour and a half," Miller said.

Even if your neighborhood festival isn't as progressive in the reduce, reuse, recycle revolution, eco-expert Dee Carlson said all can do their part. Going to Jazz on the Prairie? Carlson suggests taking reusable containers and water bottles. If you plan to purchase items at a summer craft fair, why not take your own reusable bag?

Carlson said reducing your carbon footprint can be a part of any lifestyle, whether it's buying locally grown produce from your community farmers market or using natural oils such as peppermint as mosquito repellent instead of harsh chemicals.

"It's all about closing the loop, so that everything is made into something else."

AFTON Afton May Fair Arts, entertainment and food vendors throughout downtown Afton. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 30; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 31. 651-436-8883. www.aftonmnarea.com. COTTAGE GROVE STRAWBERRY FEST Live music, pancake breakfast, strawberry and craft sale, and carnival. Fireworks at 10:30 p.m. June 20. 4-11 p.m. June 18; 2 p.m.-midnight June 19; 7 a.m.-midnight June 20; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 21. Fireworks at 10:30 p.m. June 20. Kingston Park, Indian Blvd. & 75th St. 651-458-2800. www.cottagegrovestrawberryfest.com. EAGAN EAGAN ART FESTIVAL Entertainment, food vendors and art. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 27; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 28. Eagan Community Center Festival Grounds, 1501 Central Pkwy. www.eagan artfestival.org. EAGAN FUNFEST Miss Eagan Pageant, carnival, vendors and parade. 4 p.m.-midnight July 3; 10 a.m.-midnight July 4. Fireworks, 10 p.m. July 4. Central Park, 1501 Central Pkwy. 651-675-5001. www.eaganfunfest.org. LONE OAK DAYS Hayrides, musical entertainment, '40s-era equipment displays and demonstrations, and children's activities. Sept. 26-27. Holz Farm, 4665 Manor Drive. 651-675-5000. FALCON HEIGHTS Back to the '50s Weekend More than 11,000 street rods, custom, classic and restored vehicles from 1964 and earlier. Automotive exhibits, craft fair, swap meet, musical concerts and more. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. June 19- 20; 6 a.m.-3 p.m. June 21. $10. 12 and under free with each paid adult. State Fairgrounds, 1265 N. Snelling Av. www.msra.com. MAPLEWOOD Maplewood JULY 4th Celebration All American Lumberjack show, food vendors, inflatables, family games and fireworks at dusk. 5-10:30 p.m. July 4. Hazelwood Park, 1663 County Road C. www.ci.maplewood.mn.us. RAMSEY COUNTY FAIR Live music, food, petting zoo, fireworks, carnival rides, parade. 5-11 p.m. July 8-9; noon-midnight July 10-11; noon-9:30 p.m. July 12. Free. Ramsey County Fairgrounds, Frost and White Bear Av. www. ramseycountyfair.com. RAMSEY Happy Days Teen dance, craft fair and business expo, parade, skate competition and classic car show. Sept. 18-19. Ramsey Town Center, 7550 Sunwood Drive NW. www.ci.ramsey.mn.us. ROSEVILLE Rosefest Live music, medallion hunt, wellness fair, disc golf tournament, parade, Run/Roll for the Roses, Taste of Rosefest and live entertainment. Various times and locations throughout Roseville. See website for detailed information. June 21-28. www.cityofroseville.com. THE FREEDOM FESTIVAL PARTY IN THE PARK Live music, kids games, a climbing wall, crafts, adult softball tournament, and fireworks at dusk. July 4. Central Park, Lexington Av. and County Road C. www.ci.roseville.mn.us. MOSQUITO BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL Live music. 5:30-8:45 p.m. Aug. 11. Roseville Central Park, Lexington Av. and County Road C. www.ci.roseville.mn.us. SHOREVIEW Slice of Shoreview Art fair, live entertainment, carnival and petting zoo. July 24-26. Island Lake Park, 3655 N. Victoria St. 651-303-4667. www. sliceofshoreview.com. ST. CROIX FALLS St. Croix County Fair Animal events, live entertainment and children's activities. July 23-26. St. Croix County Fairplex, 210 Fair Grounds Road. www.stcroixcofair.com/fair. ST. PAUL Flint Hills International Children's Festival Free performances, dancing, activities, music and food in Rice Park and Landmark Center plaza. Performances by Esta, Cirque Mechanics Birdhouse Factory and others at the Ordway ($5 admission fee). 10 a.m. May 30-31. Ordway Center for the Arts, 5th and Washington Sts. 651-224-4222. www.ordway.org/festival. HAMLINE AVENUE FOLK FESTIVAL A showcase of folk and bluegrass musicians including Nikki and the Ruemates, Roe Family Singers, Lourdray and others. Noon-7 p.m. May 31. Newell Park, 900 Fairview Av. N. ST. ANTHONY PARK ARTS FESTIVAL More than 100 artists displaying pottery, fiber arts, jewelry and paintings. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. June 6. St. Anthony Park Carnegie Library, 2245 Como Av. www. stanthonyparkartsfestival.org. GRAND OLD DAY Live music, family fun area, children's parade, teen battle of the bands, Minnesota RollerGirls, cultural arts and performances. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7. On Grand Av. 651-699-0029. www.grandave.com/grandoldday. TWIN CITIES JAZZ FESTIVAL June 18-20. Free concerts in Mears Park, 5th St. and Sibley. Additional charge for concerts at the Artists Quarter and Hat Trick Lounge. For complete information go to www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com. RONDO DAYS FESTIVAL Parade, 5K walk/run, live music, food, market place vendors. Festival at 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. July 18. Martin Luther King Park, St. Paul, 270 N. Kent St. Drill team competition at 6 p.m. at St. Paul Central High School, 275 Lexington Pkwy. 651-646-6597. IRISH FAIR OF MINNESOTA Irish music, sheep herding demonstrations, Run With the Celts, sports, food, marketplace and more. 3-11 p.m. Aug. 7; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 8; 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 9. Harriet Island, Plato Blvd. and Justus Ohage Blvd. www.irishfair.com. PABA FEST Ethnic dance performances, food and merchandise sales, and live entertainment. Held on Payne Av. between York and Jenks Sts. Noon-6 p.m. (Kids' fun run, 11:30 a.m.) Sept. 12. 651-771-1152. SOUTH ST. PAUL KAPOSIA DAYS Sports tournaments, craft and flea market, classic car show and live entertainment. Events at various locations throughout South St. Paul. June 26-28. Fireworks at 10:01 p.m. June 28. at South St. Paul High School, 700 2nd St. N., South St. Paul. 651-451-2266. www.kaposiadays.org. STILLWATER Stillwater JULY 4th Fireworks Family activities and entertainment. Fireworks at 10 p.m. in downtown Stillwater. July 4. Free. Lowell Park, on Main St. 651-430-8800. LUMBERJACK DAYS Music featuring national acts, the Stihl Timbersports Championships of professional lumberjacks, arts and crafts, 19th-century-style baseball and family activities. Fee for some music concerts. Thunder in the Valley fireworks spectacular at 10:05 p.m. July 26. Festival held July 23-26. Lowell Park, On Main St. www.lumberjackdays.com. VADNAIS HEIGHTS TASTE OF VADNAIS Foods from local restaurants and eateries, music by John Evans, Dan Perry and Friends and other family entertainment. 6-9 p.m. June 11. City Hall, 800 E. County Road E. www.ci.vadnais-heights.mn.us. VADNAIS HEIGHTS DAY IN THE PARK Ice cream social and entertainment by Sticks and Tones. 6:30-8 p.m. July 8. Community Park, 661 E. County Road F. www.ci.vadnais-heights.mn.us. HERITAGE DAYS AND BOOYA Senior picnic, pig roast, live music, car show, medallion hunt (begins Aug. 10), parade, fire truck rides, and entertainment and games. Aug. 12-16. Community Park, 661 E. County Road F. 651-204-6000. www.ci.vadnais-heights.mn.us. WHITE BEAR LAKE Marketfest Held in downtown White Bear Lake, this event includes fine art, live entertainment, children's activities, farmers market and more. 6-9 p.m. Thursdays June 18-July 30. Downtown White Bear Lake, 4701 Hwy. 61. www.marketfest.org. WOODBURY Woodbury Days Live music, Taste of Woodbury, sports events, parade and carnival rides. Aug. 28-30. Ojibway Park, 2695 Ojibway Drive. www.woodburydays.com. Melissa Walker • 612-673-4461