The logo depicts a flower with five petals. Each petal suggesting how or where we might conserve our resources. The ocean and water is on one, a car and electrical appliance is another petal. Trees and gardens are represented on a third, the weather is the fourth and the fifth petal, at the top, depicts our homes and community.
The Committee promises the usual attractive mix of food, music and dancing. Interactive booths will feature recycled art, solar energy, earth-friendly products, composting, garland making, wildlife education, henna painting and more.
There will be some new exhibitors this year. The Earth Fair Committee welcomes the Secret Goldfish Baking Company with organic bread and cookies, which Molly Greenwood owns and operates.
This year, the popular butterfly exhibit will be locally connected. Scott (co-owner of the Strawberry Creek Bed & Breakfast and Strawberry Creek Bunkhouse) will organize the Butterfly Tent. His experience includes raising and tending to praying mantes, bees (currently at the bed and breakfast), monarch butterflies, and other insects.
In addition, local groups and agencies will return to share their thoughts on conservation and sustainability. The Idyllwild and Pine Cove water districts will have booths and the Santa Ana Watershed Association will be present. Other agencies exhibiting include Malki Museum, Mount San Jacinto State Park, Mountain Communities Fire Safe Council and Riverside County Waste Management.
The Idyllwild Garden Club, Idyllwild Nature Center, Pinyon Mountain Botanicals and the California Native Plant Society will discuss plants and gardening.
Food will be available, including popular Sage Mountain Farm, which will offer organic burritos.. and Dolma’s Himalayan Finger Food will also bring refreshments.
Preceding Earth Fair at 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, will be a Dessert Reception at Town Hall. Attendees can taste dessert delicacies prepared by local restaurants and listen to live local music. A silent auction with a wide variety of items to bid on from area galleries and businesses is also offered, as is the annual presentation of the Greenwood Award. Tickets for the Friday event are $15 or two for $25 at the door and all proceeds go toward producing Earth Fair.
The highlight of the Friday event is presentation of the Greenwood Award to this year’s recipient Dr. Kate Kramer, the Forest Service botanist on the San Jacinto Ranger District.
The Idyllwild Earth Fair was created in 1990 by a group of volunteers who wanted to contribute to the life of our community by presenting an annual event focusing on environmental concerns that effect us locally and globally. This grassroots event is still produced entirely by volunteers. Through inspiration, motivation and the provision of information and expertise, the Earth Fair organizers encourage neighbors, visitors and others to become actively involved in the pursuit of such areas as solar energy, multi-species preservation, recycling, earth-friendly products, fire safety, composting, water conservation and more.
In the nearly quarter century since the Idyllwild Earth Fair’s inception, the individuals responsible have changed, but the goal and enthusiasm remain. “The constant is that everyone who’s involved donates their time and gives from their hearts,” said Holly Owens, Earth Fair committee chair. “Idyllwild makes this event happen — from the donations at our silent auction, to the incredible talent on stage the whole day, to the people who staff the event — it’s a community effort.”
Performers
- Emcee: Doug Austin
- Headliners: Idyllwild Arts All Stars, featuring Barnaby Finch & Don Reed
- Local Color
- Swift Pony
- Idyllwild Arts Jazz Quintet
- Nathan Rivera & the Resophonics
Wow, this sounds like fun! Just forwarded this information to my son and his family down in Beaumont. I found out before him and I live in New Jersey. By the way, I love your town!