Here’s what’s going on at this year’s festival

For Immediate Release:

Find out how your used ketchup bottle might become part of your neighbours new fence! Organizers of the Eco Star Award-winning Organic Islands Festival are excited about the  sixth annual event which takes place July 10 and 11th at Glendale Gardens. New and innovative products will be showcased at the festival including exhibitors like Syntal Products who take your used plastic and recycle it right here on Vancouver Island into sustainable lumber that has many benefits — beyond being environmentally friendly. It’s even been recently approved for use on organic farms because it’s completely non-toxic.

You can expect the same delicious food, beverage and product sampling, and there are more food vendors than ever — almost 40 exhibitors will be providing fresh, tasty samples with fair trade, herb infused chocolate being one of the new additions along with certified organic vodka made in Pemberton. It’s not only the food and drink at the festival that’s new.

This year attendees will have a chance to test drive the $1 million Fuel Cell demonstration vehicle,  find out how to convert their vehicles to bio diesel, take a look at the Nissan Cube car  and consider whether a vehicle co-op membership will go the distance in reducing the costs of vehicle ownership along with their carbon footprint. It’s all part of a theme of Sustainable Transportation that will be focused on throughout the festival on the main stage green forum.

In keeping with the message of the festival, attendees are being offered valet bicycle parking, when they get themselves there on pedal power. 

”We are working at going carbon neutral and we’ll be surveying attendees about how they traveled to the festival,” says festival organizer Deb Morse who has been recognized for her efforts at making the festival a near zero waste event. “The venue is accessible on the Centennial Trails system which connects up to the Galloping Goose. So people can make fun day of it getting to the festival by bike too. Vehicle parking is still available.”

Guy Dauncey, President of the BC Sustainable Energy Association, who will be speaking on the transportation forum describes the festival as “the party, the celebration” of all these people doing great work in the green and sustainability sector. Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party of Canada will speak on the forum with Guy and other local experts.
Another key focus this year is green homes, building and development. An innovative forum of green builders and developers will present their ideas on the main stage on Sunday at 11 am. And the Sustainability Expo portion of the festival invites attendees to complete their green passport by visiting 20 exhibitors offering tips on greening homes and gardens.

On the entertainment side, Hannah Georgas, currently touted as “Canada’s hottest indy music commodity.” (Chart Attack Magazine) is playing the main stage on Saturday July 10 at 1:30. Other musical performances include T Nile, Shane Philip and Lilith Fair hopeful Kayla Summers, aong with a host of buskers performing throughout the 10 acre garden venue.

For the full festival program see:
http://organicislands.ca/blog/2010/06/festival-program-on-main-stage/

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