VANCOUVER—‘Organic Islands’ is more than just the name of the largest and greenest outdoor festival in Canada—it represents a vision of the future where people work together to create sustainable lifestyles.
On July 4-5, when the gates open at Glendale Gardens and Woodland in Victoria, B.C., visitors can expect a “very fun” and “transformative experience,” suggests festival creator and director Deb Morse.
The event was conceived five years ago with the idea of “a place that lingers in our collective imagination where the air is clean, the water clear, and the food sublime.”
“It’s about bringing the community together,” says Morse. “We are realizing that we have common goals.”
An estimated 150 booths—up 25 percent from last year—will be set up at scenic Glendale Gardens, a demonstration garden located just north of Camosun College Interurban Campus in Victoria.
Besides the usual ‘economic activity’ one expects to find at a trade show-style festival, there is much, much more on offer at Organic Islands, and one’s senses can expect a workout.
For the taste buds, there will be copious free samples throughout the weekend, as well as healthy meals for purchase. The Teresan Gas Cooking Stage will feature regular cooking demonstrations by local chefs demonstrating the merits of using seasonal farm produce.
The Green Drinkery, a garden offering samples of microbrewery beer, wine, and juice coolers is even bigger this year with the addition of Salt Spring Island Brewery.
Toe-tapping entertainment will take place at the festival’s large outdoor stage. Highlights are the roving and funny minstrel Jeremy Fischer, famous for biking to his shows, and the Grapes of Wrath, recently regrouped and playing together again for the first time at the festival, as well as Lester Quitzau, Fiddlin’ Frenzy, Oliver Swain and Ashtanga Yoga Shala.
For time out, people can head over to the wooded creek and Zen Garden, or stroll around and learn about the variety of plants, shrubs, and trees in the gardens. A traditional Japanese tea ceremony as well as massage treatments will transport attendees into the tranquil zone.
Highly anticipated at this year’s festival is a half-acre Children’s Village and Play Zone, complete with piglets, chickens, and wild roosters, compliments of the Pacific Northwest Raptors. Kids will delight at the Storytelling Stage, and in learning through recycling and garbage pickup activities.
With something for everyone, Organic Islands also presents intellectually provocative panel discussions daily. Heard of the 100-Mile Diet? Saturday’s panel will discuss ‘Reviving the Vancouver Island Diet.’ Speakers include Bill Code (Heritage Island Food Services Co-operative), Tom Henry (Small Farm Canada), Carolyn Herriot (The Garden Path) and Jen Bradley (Women’s Food and Water Initiative).
On Sunday ‘change-makers’ Dirk Becker (Synergy), Devon Carter (Home ECO-nomics) and Brandon Baauer (The Blue Raven Permaculture Farm) will tackle the topic of sustainable living.
The festival itself is fully committed to sustainability in action. Its energy needs are solar powered, and attendees can visit the power station and learn how it works. “They can see our zero-waste commitment in action,” says Morse.
Folks can even catch a bio-diesel shuttle to the festival from either Mayfair Mall for those coming from Victoria, or Royal Oak exchange for people travelling from the Mainland. Cool, eh?
Details for transportation, ticket purchase, and the festival program can be found at www.organicislands.ca
On July 4-5, when the gates open at Glendale Gardens and Woodland in Victoria, B.C., visitors can expect a “very fun” and “transformative experience,” suggests festival creator and director Deb Morse.
The event was conceived five years ago with the idea of “a place that lingers in our collective imagination where the air is clean, the water clear, and the food sublime.”
“It’s about bringing the community together,” says Morse. “We are realizing that we have common goals.”
An estimated 150 booths—up 25 percent from last year—will be set up at scenic Glendale Gardens, a demonstration garden located just north of Camosun College Interurban Campus in Victoria.
Besides the usual ‘economic activity’ one expects to find at a trade show-style festival, there is much, much more on offer at Organic Islands, and one’s senses can expect a workout.
For the taste buds, there will be copious free samples throughout the weekend, as well as healthy meals for purchase. The Teresan Gas Cooking Stage will feature regular cooking demonstrations by local chefs demonstrating the merits of using seasonal farm produce.
The Green Drinkery, a garden offering samples of microbrewery beer, wine, and juice coolers is even bigger this year with the addition of Salt Spring Island Brewery.
Toe-tapping entertainment will take place at the festival’s large outdoor stage. Highlights are the roving and funny minstrel Jeremy Fischer, famous for biking to his shows, and the Grapes of Wrath, recently regrouped and playing together again for the first time at the festival, as well as Lester Quitzau, Fiddlin’ Frenzy, Oliver Swain and Ashtanga Yoga Shala.
For time out, people can head over to the wooded creek and Zen Garden, or stroll around and learn about the variety of plants, shrubs, and trees in the gardens. A traditional Japanese tea ceremony as well as massage treatments will transport attendees into the tranquil zone.
Highly anticipated at this year’s festival is a half-acre Children’s Village and Play Zone, complete with piglets, chickens, and wild roosters, compliments of the Pacific Northwest Raptors. Kids will delight at the Storytelling Stage, and in learning through recycling and garbage pickup activities.
With something for everyone, Organic Islands also presents intellectually provocative panel discussions daily. Heard of the 100-Mile Diet? Saturday’s panel will discuss ‘Reviving the Vancouver Island Diet.’ Speakers include Bill Code (Heritage Island Food Services Co-operative), Tom Henry (Small Farm Canada), Carolyn Herriot (The Garden Path) and Jen Bradley (Women’s Food and Water Initiative).
On Sunday ‘change-makers’ Dirk Becker (Synergy), Devon Carter (Home ECO-nomics) and Brandon Baauer (The Blue Raven Permaculture Farm) will tackle the topic of sustainable living.
The festival itself is fully committed to sustainability in action. Its energy needs are solar powered, and attendees can visit the power station and learn how it works. “They can see our zero-waste commitment in action,” says Morse.
Folks can even catch a bio-diesel shuttle to the festival from either Mayfair Mall for those coming from Victoria, or Royal Oak exchange for people travelling from the Mainland. Cool, eh?
Details for transportation, ticket purchase, and the festival program can be found at www.organicislands.ca
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