The so-called "eco fish" sit on a table at the East Falls Development Corp. staring back at executive director Gina Snyder as if they were alive.

And while the objects aren't real, their message is, and that message will be prominently displayed during Saturday's Arts by the River festival.

"The idea was to do something funny - "eco-reference," Snyder said of the fish, 40 of them in total, which are made of plastic, two-liter soda bottles.

To celebrate the fourth year of the event, which will take place at Inn Yard Park along the Schuylkill River, Snyder thought it would be fun to do something different. So in brainstorming ways to make this year's festival different, she came up with the idea of inviting eco-vendors in addition to the usual suspects of artists and craftspeople.

"We realized people were very interested in the environment, so we figured why not have an 'eco' component to the arts fair," Snyder said.

The plastic fish, which were designed by Philadelphia University students, neighborhood children, and local artists, will be displayed at the stations of the 12 "eco-vendors."

Glynis Tart, one of the eco-vendors who agreed to participate in the event, said Snyder's decision to add a green component to the ever-growing arts festival was a good one.

"I think it's an excellent move because green is such a buzz word now," said Tart, who runs Verden Interior Design Studio, a business that focuses on sustainability. "People are kind of excited about it ... but (sometimes) they're unaware."

Tart was familiar with the arts festival, since she both works and lives in East Falls. Her decision to participate for the first time stemmed from the fact that she cares about the neighborhood, and would like to help educate fellow residents.

"I try my best to support the community," she said. "I like to give back to the community, to see what I can do."

Tart also said participating will give her a chance to showcase her business, which focuses on environmentally friendly products for the home, such as light fixtures designed to use minimal electricity; rugs, carpets and floor tiles made from recycled materials; paints with minimal chemicals; and furniture and upholstery made from organic materials.

"These are not the basic things you may see," she said. "I have some products that are very high-end looking, and they're made out of reusable materials."

Tart said that, if all goes well this year, and she expects it to, she would definitely consider participating in next year's arts festival.

"I think it's an excellent choice that Gina extended (participation) to sustainable, green vendors," she said. "The industry is growing."

Another eco-vendor participating in the festival is Zeta Cross, a "green Realtor" with Elfant Wissahickon Realtors. Cross will be manning two tables during the event, one with information about worm composting, and another focusing on Keystone HELP, or Home Energy Loan Program, a state program that offers homeowners low-interest loans that will go toward energy efficient home improvements.

"I promote green practices for my clients because I think it's the right thing to do, and it makes your house worth more money, and it saves you money," Cross said by phone. "The greenest house is the one that's already built."

Cross said she agreed to work the arts festival "mostly as a public service," since she sees a benefit in educating the community.

Cross will also talk about the concept of "worm composting," a presentation she expects to be a draw for the children, since youngsters oftentimes jump at the chance to get their hands dirty.

"The kids get a kick out of the wiggly, little worms," she said.

But the presentation also should go over well with the adults, she said, especially those who are into gardening.

"If you put this stuff on your plants, you're not going to believe how amazing these plants grow," she said.

Of course, the arts festival will have offerings other than eco-friendly advice and educational opportunities. The event will have around 50 arts and crafts vendors, showcasing works that will include jewelry, textiles, painting, photography, glass, woodworking, sculpture, ceramics, clothing and accessories.

There will also be food, refreshments and activities for the entire family.

In addition to the artists and craftspeople, there will also be a handful of people representing East Falls businesses, including those from East Falls Chiropractic, the Old Academy Players, and T-Mobile.

For the first time, the event will include a performance stage on which martial arts demonstrations, live music and salsa dance lessons will be offered. The Mouse King from the Pennsylvania Ballet will also make an appearance.

"It really has gotten better and bigger every year," Snyder said.

This year, the festival will coincide with an exhibition by renowned local artist Paul Gorka. Snyder said those visiting the arts fair will be steered to Gorka's nearby studio at 3698 Stanton St.

"He is really established, well known, and is sort of up there in the upper echelon of painting," Snyder said of Gorka.

For a brief period, Snyder was worried about the fate of the festival, after a large tree came down at Inn Yard Park. But the mess has since been cleaned up. Besides, she said, the accident actually worked out in organizers' favor.

"Now we have big, open space, which is nice," Snyder said with a laugh.

Last year's event drew more than 3,000 people, Snyder said, and she hopes turnout will trump that figure this year.

For more information about Arts by the River, contact the East Falls Development Corp. at 215-848-8084 or info@eastfalls-pa.com.

Reporter Jon Campisi can be reached at 215-354-3038 or jcampisi@phillynews.com

Getting to the fest

Inn Yard Park is located next to fire station on Ridge Avenue, just south of Midvale Avenue. The festival will begin at 10 a.m. and run to 5 p.m. and is rain or shine. For more information about Arts by the River, contact the East Falls Development Corp. at 215-848-8084 or info@eastfalls-pa.com.