Sustainamania, a free and annual public event focused on sustainable living, will be held at Bothell City Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 10.

The event originated in May 2012 and, as described by Bothell sustainability and projects coordinator Sabrina Combs, has been growing ever since.

Sustainamania began as a way to engage with Bothell residents about sustainability, a topic that hadn’t been focused on in a city event at that point. At the time, the city had partnered with other water agencies as part of the Spring Garden Fair and in part because of that event, thought it would be beneficial to emphasize the broader topic of sustainability in a public setting.

“There is a lot of information out there that the public is not always aware of,” Combs said in an email, adding that Federal Way’s Recyclepalooza was an inspiration for Sustainamania.

It was originally thought that the event would simply include information about sustainability and Public Works Week for the public to access in a large venue. But the public response ended up allowing for the function to become something more.

Now, it is a full-blown sustainability fair for the community. Its current incarnation includes recycling collection, education, touch-a-truck experts and family friendly activities.

How the event unfolds changes from year to year. No one Sustainamania is exactly the same.

It now happens at Bothell City Hall rather than Bothell Operations Center, for instance; Combs said that booths, demonstrations, speakers, activities, tours and partners vary on a yearly basis.

Each Sustainamania has a distinct theme. Always remaining, though, is the general focus on sustainability. This year, patrons can expect to learn about new resources, tools, tips and information to make tangible changes to their everyday sustainability practices.

Vendors for Sustainamania 2019 include 350 Eastside, Bats Northwest, the Orca Conservatory, Recology Touch-a-Truck, Washington Wild, Water Watchers and others. Though Sustainamania is no longer accepting sponsor or vendor sign-ups, interested parties are encouraged to apply next year.

Combs believes that going to this event helps contribute to the greater good.

“If everyone picks up one new sustainable habit at this event it will create change for our whole community,” Combs said.

Combs said that interested parties should anticipate having an overall positive experience at Sustainamania.

“They can expect to have fun,” she said. “Smiling faces are a constant sight at this event and we are looking forward to seeing a few more at this year’s event.”

Combs said that her favorite thing about Sustainamania is getting to see “the community come together and have fun learning about sustainable actions they can take in their everyday lives.” She added that the event is inclusive for all.

When looking down the road, Combs said that she hopes that, years from now, Sustainamania will be bigger and better, with less waste and more community involvement.

“One of our favorite things is going to community events before this one and having people ask us for details about the next Sustainamania,” she said. “We want this to continue and hope to hear more comments leading up to the next one.”

For more information about Sustainamania, go to the city of Bothell website.