Washingtonians, prepare to paint the town green.

For the first time ever, the Green Festival will come to the District for a two-day gathering of more than 250 exhibitors, speakers, community leaders, green businesses and artists.

The festival’s goal, to unite “green enterprises, social and environmental groups, visionary thinkers and thousands of community members in a lively exchange of ideas, commerce and movement-building fun,” will take place through a multitude of events on Saturday and Sunday at the Washington Convention Center. Some of the events include an environment film festival, a community action workshop and a selection of vegetarian and organic foods in biodegradable foodware.

The green party will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and continues on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information, visit the festival’s Web site at www.greenfestivals.org.

Bike Tour of Washington Takes Place Saturday

The 2004 Giant Food BikeDC bike tour of Washington, a noncompetitive tour of the city for riders of all ages and abilities, takes place Saturday.

Proceeds from the event go to support the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, a local nonprofit that works to improve the conditions for cyclists throughout the region.

There are two routes in this year’s bike tour, which will take place rain or shine. One is a 12-mile family-friendly ride along streets that are closed to regular traffic for the duration of the ride. The other is a 32-mile tour that includes the 12 miles along the closed streets as well as 20 more throughout the city.

Those interested in joining the tour or looking for more information about street closings should check out the tour’s Web site (www.waba.org). WTOP news radio will offer traffic updates throughout the day of the ride.

Political Comedies Take Center Stage at Festival

American University’s Political Comedy Festival begins today and runs through Sunday at the American Film Institute Silver Theatre in Silver Spring, Md.

The festival highlights films that are both political and humorous, opening with the new film “Silver City,” a satire starring Academy Award-winning actor Chris Cooper. Director John Sayles will be on hand after the screening at the AFI Silver Theatre to discuss his film.

The program continues Friday with a showing of “Primary Colors,” which will be followed with a question and answer session with author Joe Klein, who wrote the book on which the movie is based. Saturday afternoon features showings of “The Great McGinty” and “Election.”

Saturday also features a number of programs, including a live session of the popular program “Political Dish,” followed by an 8 p.m. special tribute to Dick Gregory. The tribute to Gregory will feature performances by comedians from around the area and will be hosted by “Good Morning America’s” Tony Perkins and Gene Policinski, executive director of The First Amendment Center.

The program wraps up on Sunday with screenings of “Bob Roberts” and “Wag the Dog.” “Wag” director Barry Levinson will be on hand to discuss the film with Washington Post film critic Desson Thompson.

For more information, visit American University’s Web site at www.american.edu/media. To purchase tickets to specific events, visit www.afi.com/silver.

— Jennifer Lash and Sonny Bunch