This past Saturday I attended the Green McDonald’s Holiday Festival in Cary with my family and we had a great time. It was a free event to all with a charitable raffle featuring new & vintage Happy Meal toys with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House of Durham. McDonald’s offers free tours of the restaurant highlighting all the eco-friendly features throughout to small and large groups of all ages. Location: 1299 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, NC 27511. Here are a few fun facts about this particular location (taken from their brochure printed on recycled paper). It’s the first “green” McDonald’s in the state of North Carolina. 95% of the light fixtures in this McDonald’s use LED (Light Emitted Diode) technology. LED lamps will last about 30,000 hours compared to 1,300 hours for a standard incandescent light bulb. Approximately 99% of the debris generated by the demolition process was diverted from landfills by being either re-used or recycled. It is estimated that this McDonald’s will save over 550,000 gallons of water a year by utilizing high efficiency restroom and kitchen fixtures, combined with exterior water-saving features. During daylight hours, 19 Solatubes strategically positioned throughout the building and expansive windows provide natural light to 92% of the restaurant. There are even preferred parking spaces for hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles, along with charge stations for electric vehicles.

To share in all the festivities CrossRoads Ford was there showcasing a few vehicles including the all-electric 2012 Ford Focus and level 2 electric vehicle station. This car is fuel free and the first zero emissions passenger car from Ford. I’ll be writing an entire post to share my experience in learning about the 2012 Focus Electric.

Burt’s Bees was also in attendance sharing their eco-friendly, all natural product care line. They were generous to give the first one hundred guests a free gift and they were performing hand massages throughout the day. My three year old son has eczema so I can REALLY appreciate the Baby Bee product line. Burt’s Bee’s has something for everyone, go and nourish your skin! I received a few great products for myself and mini me, I can’t wait to share my Burt’s Bees experience with you.

There were holiday crafts provided by Ashley Peay-Bettini owner and instructor of The Artbox Studio, the kids designed Christmas tree ornaments. That activity was so fitting for the holiday season. They had a ball! There was also face painting and balloon twisting from Clown Around Inc., pictures with Santa Clause AND I can’t forget visiting the Science Safari in Salt Box Village. I thought Ozzie the Iguana was a statue until he moved and scared me to pieces. I got to see two snakes; of course glass separated us, and that was a MUST! I also got to see Myrtle the Turtle whom I thought wasn’t real either. I don’t know what I was thinking… I was in a Science Store! The McDonald’s Holiday event was AMAZING and we had a GREAT time! More Pictures Below…