Compost Fair taking place on Oct. 26

SPOKANE -- The Spokane County Master Composters/Recyclers are once hosting the semi-annual "Compost Fair" at the city of Spokane's Finch Arboretum on Saturday, Oct. 26. The fair is being held as part of the Arboretum’s "Fall Leaf Festival," and starts at 11 a.m. Attendees must arrive by 1:30 p.m. to complete all of the activities by the 2 p.m. close.

Participants will learn how to make compost at home out of garden debris, food scraps, and leaves that have begun to fall from our colorful trees. Activity stations will demonstrate the materials that can be composted, types of bins to use, and how to build and turn a pile. Compost tea brewers, bokashi systems, and composting with worms will also be demonstrated. There will be hands-on experiences as well as great information shared by Spokane County Master Composters/Recyclers.

The Fair is free and open to everyone. Spokane County attendees can receive a free plastic compost bin after completing the learning stations. There is a limit of one bin per household and attendees must show proof of residency. The bins are provided by the County Regional Solid Waste System with grant funds from the Washington Department of Ecology. The Master Composters/Recyclers are volunteers sponsored by the Spokane County Regional Solid Waste System.

Also at the Finch Arboretum that day is the Fall Leaf Festival, sponsored by the City of Spokane’s Parks & Recreation Department. Information booths, kids’ activities, and beautiful fall colors await attendees. New this year will be live music and a food truck making the day extra festive.

For more information on the Compost Fair, call 509-625-6580. The John A. Finch Arboretum is located at 3404 W. Woodland Blvd., at the intersection of Sunset Highway and “F” Street. .