Beantown turns into greentown during the 2012 Boston GreenFest, held this year from August 16 to 19, at City Hall Plaza. The festival is organized by the Foundation for a Green Future, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring a green future for our planet through education, training, advocacy, and research.

The four-day event features interactive exhibits, workshops, presentations, live entertainment on three stages, eco-games, and a film festival, among other activities. Thursday evening is the official kick-off, with a Native American drum and dance ceremony led by Annawon Weeden with friends and family of Wampanoag and Narragansett heritage.

The “One Gallon Challenge,” a race from Plymouth to City Hall Plaza for cars that can drive 112 miles on 1 gallon of gas, starts at noon on Thursday. The innovative cars are then on display for the duration of the festival. This challenge is a chance for people to get a look at some ultra-economical vehicles and see them perform in real-life conditions.

There are several special activities for kids, including an obstacle course and arts and crafts tables. Sidewalk Sam, always a crowd-pleaser, will be on hand. The EcoTerrace has food and beverages for sale and the EcoBazaar features sustainable goods and eco-friendly crafts.

The final day closes with the Movement Festival, a new event created by Sean Fielder of the Boston Tap Company and Lino Delgado of the Floorlords. The goal of the duo is to bring dance and movement into the lives of people across different communities. Performances and free dance classes will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you can’t wait for the festival to begin, get a head start at some preview events, one at the Rose Kennedy Greenway on August 11, and another at the Strand Theatre on August 12. Visit the Boston GreenFest for a full schedule of events, all of which are free.

Make sure to bring your own reusable water bottle. To help raise awareness about the wastefulness of disposable plastic water bottles, GreenFest will provide free drinking water to everyone. A special portable water fountain will be set up by the MWRA and the first 1,000 people to drink from the fountain will get a free reusable water bottle.

Are you and your family “green”? Tell us what makes you eco-conscious. Do you recycle? Bike to work? Compost?