York Green Festival 2008
Sunday 31st August, Rowntree Park
Free Entry, 11am - 5pm
Site Plan
Healing Area
Childrens Area
Campaign Stalls
Ethical Traders
Food Stalls
Solar Cinema
Green Workshops
The Co-operatve Music Stage
Acoustic Stage
Dance Tent
PRESS RELEASE – July 15th 2009
The Green Festival is a celebration of all that's being done to make York a more sustainable city. The first festival took place last year and was a huge success, but this year’s free event, taking place Sunday August 31st in Rowntree Park, is set to dwarf all previous efforts.
The main stage will be full to busting with the best bands York has to offer, including Boss Caine, Idle Jack and the Big Sleep, Fist Full of Yen, the Falling Spikes, and Grinny Grandad – fresh from performing at Glastonbury. Holly Taymar, Jess Gardham and The Exit Project will be sharing the acoustic stage with Towns and Houses and The Theatre of Ophidia.
Meanwhile, Cranky, Freakin’, the Herbal Mafia and UpRooted will be amongst the DJ collectives keeping things moving in the dance tent, and York Samba will drop by to add their huge rhythms to the proceedings.
A programme of workshops and discussions on green issues will be running through the day, including a film, discussion and workshop about the power of community action, led by The New Internationalist magazine. York Rotters will be talking about home composting, and Bike Rescue will be demonstrating some of the more colourful examples of their handiwork.
The Festival is being organised by a team of volunteers. John Cossham was the man who first put the idea forward in 2006. He said: "I’m just amazed by how much we’re managing to cram in this year. There’s going to be an immense amount going on, and everyone should come down – listen to the music, get a massage, eat some good food and get involved in a good cause."
Children will be catered for with a dedicated area this year, which will feature storytellers and children’s Yoga classes as well as Kindermusik and entertainer Professor Fiddlesticks. The festival site will also be hosting an exhibition of youth art from the Cherry Tree Nursery and Space 109 on Walmgate.
The York Green Festival is organised by a collective of volunteers on a not-for-profit basis, with any money left over after costs are covered being donated to charity. Entrance is free. The Green Festival's aim is to promote sustainability and raise awareness of green lifestyle choices such as renewable energy, reducing and recycling waste, conserving and enhancing biodiversity, healthy living, equitable trading, organic agriculture, non-violence, tolerance, and fun. The Festival is sponsored by The Co-operative, who will also be running a stall on the day.
