Music fest to bring environmental sound
Attendees watch performers at the 2011 Nelsonville Music Festival. Photo by Jason Bash.
By Mayuri Mei Lin, CG News
The Hocking College campus will come alive this weekend with music performances, food and local art during the three-day Nelsonville Music Festival (NMF), but with as less waste as possible.
A recent press release stated that a partnership with the Appalachia Ohio Zero Waste Initiative (AOZWI) will help the NMF in its efforts to become a zero waste event with the goal of doubling last year’s 45% waste diversion rate.
“It’s a big goal,” said AOZWI Coordinator Kyle O’Keefe, “but we think we can definitely out-do last year’s recycling and compost rates.”
Zero Waste Initiative is a Rural Action program that partners with communities in Southeastern Ohio to foster social, economic and environmental justice.
Last year, the partnership between Zero Waste and NMF saw over 1,630 pounds of recycled materials.
This year, efforts are being double with the addition of post-consumer compost bins. Attendees can compost food waste and certain service ware right on the fest site. Campers will also have easier access to campground recycling stations.
Waste reduction efforts from last year such as reusable beer cups, free filtered water fill-up stations and educational signs are also being implemented again.
Additionally, on-site vendors have committed to reducing the amount of packaging they bring into the festival. Food vendors that will be present during this year’s fest include Ali Baba’s Kitchen, Blue Moon Catering, Butch’s BBQ, The Burrito Buggy and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream.
With the festivals location at the entrance of the Hocking Adena Bikeway, organizers are also encouraging fest goers to ride their bikes to and from the event.
This year’s fest is made possible by Stuart’s Opera House, a non-profit historic theater, and attendees can expect to see performances by Iron & Wine, Andrew Bird, M. Ward, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Roky Erickson and Todd Snider, just to name a few.
“I’m excited to attend the fest cause it’ll be my first time,” James Choong, an Ohio University student studying business said. “I think it’s great how it’s going green like that. It’ll be interesting to see that in action too.”
