his year, the theme of the Sustainable Living Fair (returning to Fort Collins September 18-19) is permaculture. If you’re not familiar with this term, it’s formally defined as “any system of sustainable agriculture that renews natural resources and enriches local ecosystems,” or more simply, “sustainable land-use design.”
Ok, it makes sense on a large scale, but how can this be defined as a household term?
According to Kristina Cash, Sustainable Living Fair Director, “Permaculture is a way of living life and your relationship to the things around you.” Relating this to a smaller scale, she continues, “The Sustainable Living Fair is all about community and how community ties into your personal definition of sustainability.”
Whatever your personal definition of sustainability may be – community, health, natural resources, energy, love, support, people, ideas – just a few of the components cited by Cash, the Sustainable Living Fair 2010 will feed your frenzy.
If you’re interested in learning more about permaculture, the Fair is the perfect opportunity. Keynote speaker Heather Flores, author of Food Not Lawns, will be gracing Fort Collins with her knowledgeable and energetic presence. She’ll be leading a “Permaculture 101” workshop; designing a spiral garden in the center of the fair with rocks and herbs; and organizing a seed swap with Homegrown Foods.
If you are a pedaling fanatic, or even just a casual Fort Collins bicyclist, be sure not to miss keynote speaker Jeff Mapes, Oregonian author of Pedaling Revolution. And to get inspired to work together as a community and now, more than ever, make the changes we want to see happen, check out Andrew Harvey, author of Sacred Activism. If you love a good laugh, come see the author of Farewell, My Subaru, the stand-up ‘green’ comic Doug Fine. (You can pick up all of the books written by these speakers ahead of time at the Matter Bookstore, 144 N. College. Don’t forget to bring them with you for signing!)
If yoga and mind/body/spirit-centering is your thing, the weekend will kick off with morning yoga on Saturday at 10am. Following the stretching session in the outdoors you can start off by checking out all of the booths and exhibitors that promote sustainability in our city. This might mean eating a local and organic meal, drinking a locally brewed beer or a glass of wine straight from Estes Park (new this year!) or grabbing a hammock under the trees or a beanbag in the eco-lounge by the music stage to enjoy some tunes.
Other daytime festivities include a Recycled Fashion Show, a Tree Blessing Ceremony, and a Tribal Fusion performance that combines classic American Tribal Style posture, vocabulary, and improvisational cue dancing.
This year the Fair will feature a new and expanded family area – The Family Planet - so bring the kids! Children under 12 will reap free admission to the Fair, so come and enjoy everything from workshop activities to entertainment, to crafts and games, and even a “Mom’s Breastaurant” for nursing moms (seriously creative).
Music lovers will be thrilled to know that bluegrass favorites The Bill Nershi and Scott Law Duo will be headlining Saturday at the Fair. Earlier that day don’t miss the Honey Gitters, electro-rockabilly/bluegrass/jam band. On Sunday you can catch Stella Luce (experimental indie tunes complete with viola) and Musketeer Gripweed (blues and rock). The Sunday headliner is Juno What?! – bring your dancing shoes for this one, as Boulder-based funk/disco/synth masters wrap up a perfect weekend.
One of the biggest changes for the fair this year is that the Sustainable Living Fair will be held in a brand new venue - Legacy Park in North Fort Collins, just northwest of the College Avenue and Vine Drive intersection. Please take note: There will be no onsite parking for the Fair. In lieu of driving, it is recommended that you ride your bike, walk, or take advantage of one of the FREE bio-shuttles that will be providing eco-friendly transportation to the Fair from one of six locations all weekend long. For the list of pickup locations and the full schedule, check out the Sustainable Living Association’s website, listed below.
If you’re craving even more sustainability for the weekend, check out the Blue & Green Ball on Friday, September 17. Wear your re-purposed green or blue eco-elegant cocktail attire to the Masonic Temple to see the Nu Classics and support the Fair fundraiser. See www.blueandgreenball.org for details.
Most importantly, attests Cash, “If it wasn’t for volunteers, the Sustainable Living Fair wouldn’t happen. The entire event is volunteer-powered, adding an incredible giving energy to the event,” she says. There are numerous opportunities to get involved and receive free admission, a t-shirt, a local organic meal, and a beer. If you’re interested, you can even choose your shift – just visit the website to sign up. See you there.
Hours: Saturday, September 18 –10am-6pm / Sunday, September 19 – 10am-5pm
Admission: Adults – $8, Kids under 12 – free
Visit www.sustainablelivingassociation.org for event schedules and information on tickets, parking, and volunteer opportunities.