EARTH FEST and How I Managed to Fit Right In
The environment, no matter how many Discovery Channel documentaries you watch, in the midst of VH1 commercials and all nighters coalesced with rampant Facebook(ing), you can never be too familiar with the outdoors and how much it really affects your life specifically.
After a bit of reflecting on the University of Alabama Environmental Council’s 2009 Earth Fest that was held this past Sunday, I came to the conclusion that I may have been in WAY over my head and find it best to appreciate all that I’ve learned so far while tumbling down this rabbit-hole of a social atmosphere that’s nestled in the cozy nooks of Charmical Hall between a group of students who’d make up a meal from vegetables and hummus before they order a pizza.
Honestly, I’ve never been into the whole “environmentalist lifestyle” and have always looked at it like a trend only adopted by people who’ve lost all faith in humans and are resorting to un reasonable amounts of concern towards animals; finding it very easy to do so seeing as how these animals won’t complain – in English. But just as natural as the occurrences that will make this paper relevant, fate would present a situation that immersed me into quirky, mostly viable, mysterious if you’re unaware of the health food stores in your community, tied to a higher calling underworld filled with conscious eating and living in hopes of saving a planet we’ve only found one of.
One night while watching the free cable provided by this institution of higher learning I stumbled upon a very enlightening documentary by Al Gore and 1 hour later I was a full blown vegetarian and I was going to save the world that morning with one blue bin and a baby tree I had named Hope. By noon, over a large Meat Lovers pizza, I had left my baby tree withering away in the trunk of my Chevy Tahoe and was cheering along Neo while watching the Matrix Trilogy. There had to be a better way.
It didn’t take much but a good search through the CCSO to find an environmentalist group here on campus and within a week I was sitting within a circle complete with one barefoot individual who had been to India and the token chick rocking a tie-dye shirt and peace sign earrings.
Because I’m advertising major it was hard to find a committee to offer my help and they all were very laid back and appreciative. This is when I was first introduced to Earth Fest. My very first meeting with the UAEC, facilitated by New College and Presided over by Daniel Marbury, was the most informative humbug I had ever seen. I was assigned to publicity with Emily Roberson, Senior majoring in Advertising.
When Earth Fest Finally got here this weekend, the only thing we weren’t prepared for was the weather. We simply didn’t have enough tents to keep all of the tables and displays dry. The center of Earth Fest was the music stage and it’s were the majority of the participant accumulated. There was everything from acoustic guitar and poetry, to blues and short forums about Hurricane Creek. The Highlight of the day, for me, would have to go to a band called the PHds. It’s a group of professors with bookoos of swag. They preformed hits from the Blues Brothers and some originals of their own.
Also orbiting the stage were miscellaneous tables such as a FREE STORE that was essentially a swap-meet, informational displays, 18 holes of miniature golf constructed completely out of recycled material, an arts and crafts table, and just beyond Gorgas Library and affront Morgan was a giant bike up for grabs to ride at your own risk.
The Sun was back and forth most of the day but Earth Fest was eventually rained out and ended with frantic scattering of participants contrasted only by the calm cool and collectedness of the UAEC members who, no doubt, anticipated the rain and were simply waiting to execute a pre-meditated game plan.
I was told by Emily Roberson, the Vice President of the UAEC, that it was the biggest the event had ever been and the most important thing accomplished this year was the networking that had been done with the small businesses that contributed and the coordination between similar organizations around campus who share the same goal as the UAEC with is ultimately a better understanding of the environment and where we college students fit in and the most effective way to help in the betterment of the planet; especially as it pertains to this campus.
by jOna
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