Northwest Folklife

Go Green at the Northwest Folklife Festival!

Posted December 15, 2009 by Elliot

The 38th Annual Northwest Folklife Festival, May 22-25, 2009, offers guests the chance to celebrate ethnic, cultural and traditional arts while remaining environmentally conscious.

This year, those traveling to Seattle Center for the four-day, free folk arts Festival will have opportunities to learn about sustainability in the brand-new “Living Green Courtyard” as well as access to several composting and recycling stations.



The Living Green Courtyard

As a part of the efforts to go green, Northwest Folklife is introducing the Living Green Courtyard. Located in the Alki Court, the Living Green Courtyard will provide visitors with a chance to learn about sustainability, sample organic treats and listen to music from local artists on the all-local, Alki Court stage. Although most of the performers at the Festival are from the Northwest, the all-local stage features artists that have travelled less than 15 miles. As Assistant Director of Public Programs Devon Leger explains, “This is a great chance to meet the people making music in your own home town. The Northwest Folklife Festival has always supported local and regional artists, and Folklife is the best place to find your next favorite band.”



In addition to the local musicians performing on the Alki Court stage, a wide range of sponsors and vendors will be on hand in the Living Green Courtyard with a wide range of sustainable goods and green services. You can find the following products in the Living Green Courtyard:

•    Plants from the Seattle Urban Farm Company

•    Sweets from Dagoba Organic Chocolate

•    Stainless steel water bottles from Kleen Kanteen

•    Bath goods from Karmela Botanica

•    Clothing from Good Remnant

•    Vegetarian samples from Garden Burger



It’s no secret that festivals produce a lot of waste. One of the ways in which Northwest Folklife aims to reduce the amount of trash generated at our Festival is to offer recycling and compost options for visitors. Instead of filling up trash cans, all of those half-eaten elephant ears and soggy paper plates will be turned into compost for gardens by Cedar Grove. Additionally, recycling options will be available for plastic cups and Festival guides. After the Festival is over, Northwest Folklife donates the grease from all of the food vendors to be turned into clean burning biodiesel.



For a complete list of booths in the Living Green Courtyard as well as a schedule of performers on the all-local Alki Court stage, please visit www.nwfolklife.org. Also, don’t forget to enhance your green experience at Folklife by carpooling, walking, taking the bus or biking to Seattle Center.