Garlic and Arts Fest - How they go green
by Barbara
Hello from central Massachusetts!
I dragged my co-worker Sue out here last weekend for the 9th annual Garlic and Arts Festival. What is it all about you ask? Here is their mission statement.
The festival mission reads:
The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival is a celebration of the artistic, agricultural and cultural bounty of the region. The purpose of the festival is to unite North Quabbin people whose livelihoods are connected to the land and the arts, and to invite both local residents and those who do not live in the region to experience the richness of an area that is often overlooked. The festival emphasizes what is homegrown and high quality, as well as what helps preserve and support the environment. The festival is an engaging, fun and educational celebration for all ages.
Everything about this festival promotes environmental “green” design. This was the first year an actual wooden stage was built for the musical performers. Please note that the amplification for the sound system is solar powered.
We were able to purchase many different varieties of Garlic. One of our favorites is a Siberian Garlic that has a hot & spicy taste!
There were wonderful signs around the festival and this is also a festival that for the amount of people produced little trash! Last year for a two day festival that was attended by about 5000 visitors they produced 2 bags of trash. All else was composted. Even the “plastic ware” was a cornstarch based product that will decompose.
Of course this festival was definitely about the garlic! Anyone who knows Sue knows that she lives for good garlic! Yes, Super Garlic Man was there!
I was able to get exercise……AND pick out a new lawn mower.
In all it was a wonderful day and we left with arms full of good produce and crafts.
So if interested, this festival occurs in mid-September. Please check out more information at http://www.garlicandarts.org/