The 68th Annual Exhibition kicked off yesterday with thousands of locals and visitors flocking to the Botanical Gardens to soak up sun, fun and environmental information.

This year?s theme, ?Planting Seeds for Tomorrow?, was evident in many of the exhibits. Environmentalism was definitely a high priority with school children tackling questions about sustainable development in projects displayed at the exhibition.

Somersfield Academy recommended that Bermuda move towards alternative energy sources, such as solar power, in their presentation.

The students said the Island would have been better prepared to deal with the aftermath of the fire at Belch last year if people invested in solar panels.

Spice Valley Middle School students thought the Government could encourage people to use alternative energy sources by providing grants to home owners who wish to install solar, hydro or wind power.

They also recommended that the Government provide tax concessions on solar panels being brought to the Island.

Saltus Junior School decided to figure out how their school could incorporate sustainable development.

Once the students realised that their school threw out 20,000 plastic plates every year from hot lunches they decided something had to be done.

They asked the catering company that provides the meals to switch to paper plates, which are less harmful to the environment, and the company agreed to the switch.

The students also started a campaign to reduce trash in their lunch boxes and now require their classmates to bring any food packaging home with them. They also made posters to encourage people to car pool.

The students calculated that on an average day 280 cars come through Saltus and recommended that two school buses, which would take children to and from school, would reduce fossil fuel emissions, noise pollution and traffic congestion.

There was also a ?House of Good Intentions? at the exhibit which informed people on simple things that could help the environment, such as using environmentally friendly cleaning products.

The usual exhibits of potted plants, aquarium displays, artwork and petting zoos-to name a few- were at the Annual Exhibition. The equestrian events also captured many people?s attention as people took seats on the hill overlooking the ring and watched the events.

And the pigs proved to be a favourite attraction again this year. Twin brothers Kioshi and Kameron Burgess, who both go to Sandys Secondary Middle School, thought the large pigs were ?cool? and deemed the bunnies ?cute?.

?But my favourite part was the high diving act,? 12-year-old Kioshi said. ?You don?t get to see something like that in Bermuda usually. It?s cool that they disguise the divers as people in the crowd.?

The boys were also pleased that they had entered things into the show this year. Kioshi entered a Bermuda kite while Kameron entered a kite, blue bird box and portrait of grape vines.

Ten-year-old Marquis Caines of Gilbert Institute Middle School also enjoyed the high diving act, which involves divers from Milford Entertainment diving from boards 80 feet above the ground into a tank.

?The trampoline act was also really cool,? he said. ?And I really like watching the Bermuda Drum Line.?

This year the Annual Exhibition was opened by Acting Premier Randolph Horton. In attendance were officials from the Ministry of Agriculture from countries such as the Cayman Islands, Trinidad and Tobago.

Other visitors were also happy to be at the exhibition. Kathy Hansen from Boston was down with her family, they did not know about the event until they arrived on the Island but are glad their visit coincided with it.

?It?s just a great event,? she said. ?Everyone is so friendly and happy to be here. The weather has been wonderful this afternoon and we have learned so much about the Island. It?s a great way to show off the talents and interests of Bermudians.?