Austin is again getting ready to celebrate green living Saturday.

RE-Fest returns for its seventh year to bring Austin residents and environmental enthusiasts together to celebrate and learn about recycling, renewable energy and saving money by energy conservation from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mower County Fairgrounds. The event features electronics recycling, music, several vendors, children’s performers and more.

For some, RE-Fest is a refresher on green living practices.

“It kind of reminds those who are living it — living the green lifestyle — to keep on doing what they’re doing,” RE-Fest Coordinator Dave Thompson said.

For those who aren’t, they can come and find ideas to go green.

“They can come to learn about things that are going on out there in regards to renewable energy,” Thompson said.

RE-Fest kicks off a little early this year with a performance by Bella Ruse at 7 p.m. Friday in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

The folk group returns at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday to the Solar Stage.

“The entertainment is going to be phenomenal,” said Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Executive Director Larry Dolphin said. “They’re a wonderful group.”

Reminisce — Steve Krob, Sue Hayes, and Jim Rude — will perform on the Solar Stage at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

The nature center helps organize programming for RE-Fest, which will feature naturalist David Stokes, magician/puppeteer Jim Jayes, and Dolphin will give a talk on owls and snakes.

This year’s keynote speaker is Cedar River Watershed District Resource Specialist Justin Hanson, who will discuss the many water projects going on in Mower County. Hanson. Soil & Watershed District officials will test resident’s well water for nitrates.

Along with the kids stage, there will be several other events for children, like face painting for youngsters and the Austin High School Go Green Club booth for teens.

For adults, vendors include Habitat for Humanity, Daily Blue Naturals, Solar Connection, Able Energy Co. and many more.

RE-Fest also features several workshops: Chris Schneider will talk about cow manure, Karen Sundal will talk about renewable groceries and resilient gardens, along with other workshops.

This year, RE-Fest will be the same weekend as the Scottish Highland Cattle Show, which organizers say is a good partnership. Thompson said the breed is a good example of sustainable practices, as it’s often used for rotational grazing and is a hardy, grass-fed breed. Dolphin agreed.

“That show combined with what we’re doing is going to be a nice combination,” Dolphin said.

Electronics recycling drive returns

One of the most popular events each year is the electronics recycling drive, which Thompson noted hasn’t decreased in popularity over the years.

“We haven’t seen the decline yet. There’s still quite a need for it,” he said.

Computers, laptops, scanner, printers, microwaves, washers and other such items are free, but the AHS’s Go Green Club is asking for a $5 donation per car. Money collected last year went toward the new solar panels on the annex roof of AHS.

Other items cost a fee to recycle: wood console TVs rare $15, plastic TVs and monitors are $5 and freon-containing units — refrigerators, freezers — are also $15.

For more, visit www.refest.org.

RE-Fest schedule

Solar stage

11:30 a.m. — Reminisce

12:30 p.m. — Justin Hanson keynote address

1 p.m. — Bella Ruse

2 p.m. — RE-Fashion Show

2:30 p.m. —Reminisce

3 p.m. — Bella Ruse

Kids Stage

11:30 a.m. — David Stokes: Naturalist and Humorist

Noon — Larry Dolphin: Snake and Owl Expo

1 p.m. — Jim Jayes: Magic and Puppet Show

1:45 p.m. — David Stokes: Naturalist and Humorist

2:15 p.m. — Jim Jayes: Magic and Puppet Show

2:45 p.m. — David Stokes: Naturalist and Humorist

3:15 p.m. — Jim Jayes: Magic and Puppet Show

Workshops

11:15 a.m. — Scottish Highland – A Majestic Breed, Mark Schulz

1 p.m. — Feasting on Fall Fungi, Sammie Peterson

1:30 p.m. — Cow Manure (BioCNG) Has Won My Heart, Chris Schneider

2 p.m. — Renewable Groceries and Resilient Gardens, Karen Sundal

2:30 p.m. — Using Grassroots Media to Tell Your Renewable Energy Story, Andrea Kiepe

3 p.m. — What’s Happening Upstream, Justin Hanson

Crane Pavilion

Scottish Highland Cattle Show

Noon — Bag piper Craig Mann