Growing A Greener Festival

July 21, 2009 · Filed Under Festivals in the News, News

The Ottawa Folk Festival has established itself as a leader in reducing environmental impact, creating environmental awareness and setting a positive example in the community. This year’s Festival (August 21 to 23 at Britannia Park) builds on previous initiatives in a number of ways. This year, the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) awarded the organization a grant to strengthen and expand its environmental initiatives. Areas of particular focus include eliminating plastic water bottles, providing “hydration stations” for refillable containers, raising awareness about the importance of the public water supply, enhancing the EnviroDish reusable dish program, offering displays and discussions in the CUPE EnviroTent, organizing group cycling trips to the festival, and adding a substantial new theme with a focus on Gardening.

The Folk Festival continues to take positive strides and build partnerships as one of the most environmentally friendly festivals in Canada. In collaboration with Ottawa Riverkeeper, Council of Canadians, Life Without Plastic, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and CUPE 503, the Ottawa Folk Festival will be the first festival in Ottawa, and only the second in Canada, to go completely Plastic Water Bottle Free. In an effort to reduce waste and encourage people to drink City water, no plastic water bottles will be sold or distributed on site. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own water bottles or purchase a stainless-steel water bottle, available on site and to fill up at the Festival’s Hydration Stations.

As mentioned, the EnviroDish Program will be enhanced this year thanks in part to the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, with 2,500 sets of reusable cutlery being added to the existing plate and dish supply. This program drastically cuts down the amount of waste created during the Festival and saves over 20,000 disposable dishes and over 25,000 pieces of plastic cutlery from ending up in landfill sites. The reusable plates and cutlery are washed on site by a dedicated group of volunteer crew members. This Dishwashing Area is equipped with solar panels provided by Isolara Energy Services (www.isolara.com) that heat the water, and a composting area to process food scraps. “The Reusable Dish Program is a wonderful way to reduce waste and energy consumption, while simultaneously inspiring the public, volunteers, and artists to consider alternatives to a ‘disposable lifestyle’. ” says Julia Adam, the Festival’s Volunteer and Outreach Manager, “And the EnviroDish Volunteer Crew keeps the whole operation rolling right behind the Main Stage….it’s amazing. Come check it out!”

The CUPE EnviroTent has been running since 2002 and is one of the longest running initiatives at the festival. Thanks to CUPE, Arbour Environmental Shoppe, and area coordinator Steph Hummel, the EnviroTent will feature fascinating demonstrations, displays and discussions on topics related to health, social justice and “green” ideas. This year’s discussion topics include human powered vehicles, bicycle-powered sound systems, home greening techniques, solar hot water systems, and worm composting.

This 16th edition of the Ottawa Folk Festival will also showcase one of this year’s major themes – Gardening – by inviting attendees to “Dig Their Roots” through a plethora of garden-related activities, discussions and musically-themed events. Longtime Ottawa Folk Festival performer and Gardening Coordinator Ana Miura, will coordinate a cross-community gardening project and patchwork garden. In addition Ed Lawrence, CBC Radio’s horticultural expert, will be on hand to host several gardening seminars.

Many of the performers at this year’s Festival will also participate in the Gardening theme with an emphasis on becoming more environmentally friendly. Interestingly, a number of artists have names that fit perfectly with this theme, including The Arrogant Worms, Tall Trees, Stewed Roots, DiggingRoots and Charlotte Cornfield! Another act on the bill is Junkyard Symphony, a local Ottawa troupe that turns everyday “junk” into musical instruments. Their performances involve numerous items salvaged from junkyards and waste facilities… everything including the kitchen sink!

Mr. Something Something, an eco-conscious band takes audience participation to a new level with its SoundCycle, Canada’s first bicycle-powered sound system. They will be performing on various stages and hosting a workshop in the EnviroTent.

The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is a national organization that funds local projects which are dedicated to preserving the environment. Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $47 million to support over 17,500 grassroots environmental projects in communities across Canada. In addition to the funds raised by the TD FEF, every year TD Bank Financial Group contributes an additional $1 million to the foundation. The greatest part about TD FEF is that all money raised is put back into those communities in which it was donated.

The Ottawa Folk Festival takes place at Britannia Park from August 21 to August 23, 2009 and features over 50 acts including: Bruce Cockburn, Steven Page, The Sadies, Amy Millan, Joel Plaskett, and Kinnie Starr. Some of the major themes at this year’s Festival include Gardening, Sound Healing, Instrument Building, Cross-Cultural Interaction, and Audience Participation. The Festival features a Dance Tent, environmental and gardening displays and discussions, “build-your-own-ukulele” workshops, Cajun, Swing and Latin dance lessons, and yoga instruction.

For more information, please contact
Richard Bue
Marketing & Publicity Coordinator
graphics@ottawafolk.org
Office: 613-230-8234

Chris White
Artistic Director
cdwhite@sympatico.ca
Cell: 613-327-9621

DIG YOUR ROOTS AT THE OTTAWA FOLK FESTIVAL
Ottawa Folk Festival website: www.ottawafolk.org

The Ottawa Folk Festival, a non-profit charitable organization, gratefully acknowledges the support of the many community businesses, individual donors and volunteers who provide generous support for this community event.

Tags: Add new tag, City of Ottawa, folk music, live music, Music, musique, national capital, Ottawa Folk Festival