Ottawa Folk Festival Joins Forces with the Museum of Civilization for Unplugged Earth Day Celebration, April 22

April 21, 2010 · Filed Under Festival News, News

The Ottawa Folk Festival and the Canadian Museum of Civilization have teamed up to host a candlelit, acoustic Earth Day Celebration at the Museum of Civilization on April 22.

Celebrating Earth day in true eco-friendly fashion, the event will be au natural. Lighting will be provided by candle as well as energy efficient LED bulbs. Entertainment will be acoustic, and refreshments will be low-impact and locally grown. The evenings’ festivities will include intimate, “unplugged” performances from popular local artists Ana Miura with Fred Guignion, Julien Lelièvre, Jill Zmud, Michel Sauvé, and Louis-Philippe Robillard, and awesome eco-chic DIY crafts.

The Ottawa Folk Festival’s participation in the Earth Day event is a natural fit for the green-inspired Festival, the first of the Ottawa festivals to ditch wasteful plastic water bottles for lower-impact public water. The public water initiative in partnership with CUPE, CUPE 503, Ottawa Riverkeepers and Council of Canadians, had water supplied by on-site Hydration Stations which were tapped into Ottawa’s public water, an effort that had a substantially positive effect on the eco-footprint of the festival.

“The festival’s water-bottle ban was also considered a success. Stainless-steel bottles were widely available, and close to 1,000 gallons of water were dispensed at the so-called hydration stations. According to water-station attendants, more than 7,000 plastic bottles were diverted from landfill sites.” – The Ottawa Citizen

The festival also was able to purchase reusable plates, bowls, cups and cutlery to serve the 600+ volunteers as well as the public throughout the festival weekend; made possible by the TD Friends of the Environment Fund.

This year’s festival will see the continuation of the bottle-free initiative and its resourceful, impact-reducing results.

With free admission to the Earth Day celebration, participants can enjoy the cozy atmosphere and music performances while taking part in eco-friendly arts and crafts with all supplies provided. Locally produced refreshments can be purchased from the cash bar.

The Earth Day Celebration will take place at the Ottawa Museum of Civilization in the Grand Hall and Riverview Lobby at Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 7pm. Admission, musical performances, and eco-crafts are free.

Tags: Canadian Museum of Civilization, Community, Earth Day, Earth Day Celebration, environment, Folkfest, Ottawa Folk Festival