Boston GreenFest 2009

The Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. today announced that the second annual edition of Boston GreenFest 2009 will take place on Boston City Hall Plaza, Thursday, August 20, Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22.

Boston GreenFest 2009 will bring together community groups, corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and citizens to share new technologies and ideas that can immediately change our daily lives and help bring about a more sustainable future.

Boston GreenFest 2009, the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc., and local volunteers will seek to connect with a broad audience from across all Boston neighborhoods to bring an inspiring message of action and change. Together we will work toward sustainability through art, music, fashion, discussions and interactive exhibits. By engaging participants, young and old, we will search for new ideas to reduce our impact on our planet.

Festival-goers will learn what it means to eat and grow local organic food, improve nutrition and health care, make better decisions about what we wear and the products we use for our personal care, green our city, build healthy communities, take action politically and personally, create green jobs and engage in a sustainable, green economy.

WHEN: Entertainment and programming hours will be Thursday, Aug. 20, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21 and 22, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Exhibitor hours: Friday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

ADMISSION: All events are free and open to the public.

Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. is a local nonprofit organization committed to educating the public and increasing awareness about green roofs, living walls, plants and trees as a means to improving air quality and abating global warming along with a host of other ways to create a greener path to a sustainable future in the City of Boston and elsewhere. It is the intention of this Foundation to help improve the quality of life by contributing to a healthier environment through education and specific actions.

“Boston GreenFest 2009 is a celebration of our environmental progress and a call to action for communities, citizens and corporations committed to an even brighter future,” said Karen Weber, Coordinator of Boston GreenFest 2009. “We can no longer wait for someone to tell us what to do to improve our world. We need to find the solutions ourselves. The answers are within reach and we applaud the many groups in and around Boston already making positive change worthy of celebration and recognition.”

Jim Hunt, Chief Advisor to the Mayor on Environment and Energy, writes: “Mayor Menino and the City of Boston are excited to welcome GreenFest back to City Hall Plaza. This year’s program looks to encourage and support local community development, promote health and wellness strategies, educate the public on energy conservation and alternative transportation, and update the public on sustainability initiatives that are being pursued city, state, and nationwide. The festival looks to combine educational programming with art projects and interactive components for area residents. It offers something for everyone interested in sustainability issues. The city is proud to serve as host for this event and we hope residents will take advantage of the myriad workshops, exhibits and demonstrations to learn what steps they can take to “go green”. Please join the Mayor and me at Boston GreenFest 2009. It will be a great festival and we look forward to your participation.”

Among the activities currently scheduled to take place at City Hall Plaza for Boston GreenFest 2009 are:

- 3 Stages of Multicultural Entertainment: More than 40 acts reflect Boston’s diverse cultural offerings — from West African rock, healer, dance, martial arts and puppetry to indie rock, soul and folk. We will attempt to power one stage with solar energy and another stage by pedal power! Some of the performers are: The Neighborhoods, Mamadou, The Lights Out, Boston Community Choir (annually perform gospel with the Boston Pops), Corin Ashley, Midatlantic, Am Stereo, INCUS, The Motion Sick, The Delta Generators, Michael & Marissa, Mike Verge, tem Blessed, Mighty Mystic and the Strings of Thunder, Inkas Wasi, Buck T. Edwards, Oneal Armstrong, Chocolate Fountain, Keith James and Potentials Unlimited, Yang's Martial Arts Academy, Nathan Hale School Choir, and Tibetan musicologist Gandiva Lorcan.

- Green Fashion Tent including the EcoRunway: A creative series of fashion shows featuring adults and youth who will model clothes/accessories they made from eco-conscious materials. Designers range in age from 10 yrs and up. Boston designer Sam Mendoza, Sparklle Thames, Rhonda Fazio, Franchesca Salamanca, and the Stylistas are a few of the EcoRunway leaders.

- GreenFilmFest: Free film showings throughout the festival for children and adults, portraying themes of sustainability, nature and hope, including Greening of Southie, FRESH, and Out of Balance.

- Kid Friendly Area: Jam-packed section devoted to kids including two full days of family friendly entertainment with appearances by Ruff Ruffman from WGBH’s “Fetch!,” Phineas the Dog puppetry, Sidewalk Sam, magician Darren Yong, The Yo-Yo Show, Loco Kids, storyteller Big Joe, facepainting, eco-friendly Creative Balloons, inflatables, yoga with Sadhana Studio, and ponies to pet from the Blue Hills Riding Center!

- The One Gallon Challenge: On Wednesday, August 19, an unusual group of very high efficiency cars will convene in Greenfield, MA. These “next gen” cars are unlike what the public has seen before. On Thursday, August 20, they will attempt to travel 100 miles on the energy of a single gallon of gasoline to Boston GreenFest on Boston City Hall Plaza. They will be on exhibit throughout the festival.

- EcoGallery:

- National Geographic “Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World” Exhibit: A traveling photo exhibit by the International League of Conservation Photographers, in partnership with the nonprofit Earthjustice, that reveals the effects of climate change on endangered species.

- Eco-Photo Contest: Contest for the Boston Public Schools to acknowledge the 3 schools that most succeeded in bringing awareness about the environment into their school and curriculum. Winners will be awarded $250 in gift certificates by Jamaicaway Books on Saturday, August 22 at 2 pm. Entries will be on display.

- Product giveaways and samples: Cabot Cheese, Kashi, SOYJOY, Luna, Clif Bar, and more!
- Time Tunnel: A 50’ x 10’ walk through time in which one sees the world in its beauty and bounty; then in its degradation and loss of resources; and finally a future in which everyone working together can return the world to a sustainable path. Public artist & Architect: Franziska Amacher.

- Wheel Answers: the answers you’ve been looking for may be on this special wheel set up by Johnny Monsarrat.

- Green Town Meeting: An event at the State House Grand Staircase on Thurs. Aug 13th, 10 am – 2 pm, to which everyone, including our political leaders, academic leaders, faith leaders, youth leaders, nonprofits and more are invited to discuss and sign the GreenFest Manifest — a commitment to others and ourselves.

- Green Business Breakfast: The downtown business community will join in an engaging networking session and pertinent discussion on Thurs. Aug 20th, 8-9:30 am, Boston City Hall, Curley Room (by invitation, not open to the public).

- Green Jobs: Discussion and showcase of Boston’s green job market.

- Cooking Demos: Learn how to cook with fresh vegetables from your organic garden!

- Workshops, Speakers and Presentations: Covering wide array of fascinating topics including energy efficiency, health, nutrition, beauty, gardening, textiles, greening our cities, and much more.

- Health, Fitness and Spiritual Classes and Workshops: Yoga classes by Sadhana Studio, Kung-Fu demos by Yang’s Martial Arts, walking tours with walkBoston, and more.

- GreenBus: powered by veggie oil, the Green Bus will come down from Dartmouth College to educate festival-goers about green initiatives.

- Call2Recycle: educational mobile trailer teaching about recycling rechargeable batteries and cellphones through interactive computer games.

- Traditional Drum Circle: 200 drummers will circle City Hall in the morning and evening – it will be an unforgettable experience.

- Valet Bike Parking set up by Urban Adventours.

- Walking Tours: A Taste of Boston! Join walkBoston for quick 20 minute tours to get to know Boston by foot.

- Healthy Delicious Food from locally-minded eateries including Bolocco, Grasshopper, and Equal Exchange Café.

- More than 200 exhibitors featuring eco-conscious vendors, green technology, urban farming, small business displays, a farmers’ market and environmentally conscious artisans featuring unique items for sale.