Growing up in Somerset County, I fondly remember the excitement of fair season in late August. The rides, the animals, the exhibits, the greasy food and cotton candy; it was one of the trademarks of the beginning of autumn. Those fairs, of course, were the products of an agricultural economy. Yesterday (08/14) at Hartwood Acres, Allgheny County debuted a new fair -- the product of a new economy, a green economy -- dubbed the Green + Innovation Festival.
"The free event celebrated Allegheny County’s evolution to a green economy and featured ways for residents to become more sustainable in their everyday lives. The festival was a zero-waste event and included earth-friendly food and product vendors, crafters, green living demonstrations, musical entertainment, and children’s activities." (See the complete press release via Allegheny County: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/news/2010/20100810.aspx; see also: http://www.alleghenycounty.us/greenfestival/)
See these pics on OTV's Flickr Photostream.
Gaining momentum and becoming more mainstream, it was amazing to see so many eco-minded individuals in one place -- both vendors as well as visitors. Walking through the exhibit booths, I had really great conversations with most of the vendors; making quality connections for other groups and initiatives that I'm involved in with a green focus. Perhaps another testament of the Pittsburgh community spirit, everyone I met was very friendly, approachable and down-to-earth and willing to share about being green in everyday ways; making it a less overwhelming, more attainable transition/goal.
The festival provided a snapshot of the locally grown groups and NPOs that represent this eco-niche. And, it was only a selection of all those in Pgh who are working to advocate sustainable living: creating awareness for the need and providing practical, easy ways to begin implementing a greener lifestyle.
If you missed it, check out all those represented either online or in person. (The vendor list below is via the Green Festival's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/ACGreenFest)
- 3 Rivers Wet Weather - http://www.3riverswetweather.org
- Active Allegheny - http://www.activeallegheny.com/
- Allegheny County Health Department - http://www.achd.net/
- Allegheny County Library Association - http://www.aclalibraries.org/
- Allegheny Land Trust - http://www.alleghenylandtrust.org/
- Animal Friends - http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/site/PageServer
- Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley - http://www.animalprotectors.net/
- ARL Wildlife Rehab League - http://www.animalrescue.org/
- Audubon Society of Western PA - http://www.aswp.org/
- Black and Gold goes Green - http://www.theblackandgoldcitygoesgreen.com/
- Burns and Scalos Roofing - http://www.burns-scalo.com/roofing/new-site/
- California University of Pennsylvania - http://www.calu.edu/
- Carnegie Mellon University - http://www.cmu.edu/index.shtml
- Carnegie Science Center - http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/
- Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh - http://www.pittsburghkids.org/
- The Class Clown
- Colteryahn Dairy - http://www.colteryahndairy.com/
- Community Design Center of Pittsburgh - http://www.cdcp.org/
- Conservation Consultant Inc. - http://www.ccicenter.org/
- Duquesne Light - http://www.duquesnelight.com/
- Eisler Landscape - http://eislerlandscapes.com/
- Equita - http://www.shopequita.com/
- Etna Economic Development Corporation - http://www.etnaborough.org/edc.htm
- Fresh Heirlooms - http://www.freshheirlooms.com/
- Friends of the Pittsburgh Urban Forest - http://www.pittsburghforest.org/
- Friends of the Riverfront - http://www.friendsoftheriverfront.org/
- Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank - http://www.pittsburghfoodbank.org/
- Gredja Electric LLC
- Green Burial Pittsburgh - http://www.greenburialpittsburgh.org/
- Green Gears Pedicabs - http://www.greengearspedicabs.com/
- Gtech Strategies - http://gtechstrategies.org/
- Himalayan Institute of Pittsburgh - http://pittsburghyogacenters.com/
- I Made It! Market - http://imadeitmarket.com/
- Kova Enterprises
- Nature Center
- Nine Mile Run Watershed - http://www.ninemilerun.org/
- North Area Environmental Council - http://naecwpa.org/
- Octopus Organic Gardening - http://www.octopusorganic.com/
- P&C Replacement Windows - http://www.pcrwindows.com/
- Passports: Art Diversity Project - http://passportsart.blogspot.com/
- Penn State University - http://www.psu.edu/
- Pennsylvania Environmental Council - http://www.pecpa.org/
- Pennsylvania Resource Council - http://www.prc.org/
- Phipps Conservatory - http://phipps.conservatory.org/
- Pittsburgh Botanic Garden - http://www.pittsburghbotanicgarden.org/
- Pittsburgh Poison Center - http://www.upmc.com/Services/poisoncenter/Pages/default.aspx
- Pittsburgh Poultry Association - http://www.pittsburghpoultry.com/
- Pittsburgh Public Schools - http://www.pghboe.net/
- Pure Screenprinting - http://www.puresp.com/
- Rachel Carson Homestead - http://www.rachelcarsonhomestead.org/
- Replay My Play - http://www.replaymyplay.com/
- Reuseapalooza
- River Quest - http://www.riverquest.org/
- Southwestern PA Commuteinfo Program - http://www.commuteinfo.org/
- Think Smart Insulation - http://www.thinksmartinsulationllc.com/
- Underwood Solar Future, LLC - http://www.underwoodsolarfuture.com/
- usLEDsupply - http://www.usledsupply.com/
- Vox Energy Solutions - http://www.voxenergysolutions.com/
- West Penn Energy Solutions - http://www.westpennenergysolutions.com/
- Wild World of Animals - http://www.wildworldofanimals.org/
- Women for a Healthy Environment - http://www.womenforahealthyenvironment.org/
- Zip Cars - http://www.zipcar.com/
- Also a big thanks to our sponsors: KDKA (http://kdka.com/) and WYEP (http://www.wyep.org/)!
I miss the fair so much! When I moved away I think that is what I have missed the most. Now instead of enjoying the beautiful summer nights I have to worry about snow removal instead. That is so cool they have added a "green" fair. I might have to check this out one day! Thanks for sharing.
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