Eco-friendly Fest

It was a perfect match. A bright, sunny day with temperatures stretching into the 80s and a festival celebrating all the sun and the Earth can provide.

Solarfest, an annual Keene State College event, offered an array of music, eco-centered activities and plenty of sunshine to students, community members and even dogs on April 25. Hosted by Campus Ecology on Fiske Quad, Solarfest is a nine-hour culmination of all things eco-friendly.

Earlier in the week, college organizations conducted a series of workshops, including a clothes swap, garden tending and tree planting class for Earth Week. Solarfest, however, has the biggest response because it is on the weekend and community members are invited to attend.

Senior Becky Eisenhandler, president of Campus Ecology, said Solarfest provides a basic knowledge of sustainability to all who attend.

“This is necessary because it hits a different demographic,” she said. “It doesn’t happen often enough and students need to know that it goes on.”

Activities included, “Make Your Own Trail Mix,” tie-dying t-shirts, face and picture painting, a Reiki massage tent and the opportunity to have dreadlocks made.

In addition, a large number of vendors outlined the area, selling tapestries, jewelry, glass-blown objects, shark’s teeth and clothing, while local musical groups played in the background.

According to senior and Campus Ecology member Amanda Abramson, the vendors and activities at Solarfest are 95 percent local.

“There was a lot of paperwork, planning and cooperation with the e-board and general members,” she said.

“Some [vendors] contacted us, but for the rest we use a booking agent and search them out,” Abramson added.

The Sustainability Project, a forest preservation group located in Gilsum, N.H., raffled off an electric-powered scooter that can operate up to 40 miles on one charge at the event.  Project member Holly Thrasher said they came to Solarfest to spread the word about their cause.

“It helps get us out in the community,” she said. “It’s [Solarfest] a good event. It gets people out and thinking because it’s right in your face.”

Musicians strummed, drummed and bongoed on a stage or in front a large van with a sun and solar panels on it. This van is one of the defining features of Solarfest because it powers all the amplifiers and microphones used during the event.

According to Eisenhandler, photons of light hit the panels, which excite electrons. Excited electrons are essentially electricity and they are channeled into a generator inside the van, which, in turn, uses the electricity to power certain devices.    

Some of the acts that performed during Solarfest were: Garaj Mahal, Birdfeeder, Funknut and Hot Day at the Zoo.

Many festival goers chose to lay down on blankets and watch the musical acts, which provided an eclectic mix of funk, rock, bluegrass and folk.

Junior Dan Johnson said he has been to Solarfest every year and comes mainly for the music, but learns something every time he goes.

“There’s a little bit of everything,” he said. “It could appeal to anyone here. It grows a little bit every year. People learn what’s going on and want to check it out.”

Junior Julie Labrie agreed and said the premise of Solarfest invites good vibrations all around.

“It’s our future,” she said. “We have to be careful with our resources. We’re having a good time just using solar panels as our electricity.”

For Abramson, who has worked with Campus Ecology on Solarfest events in the past, the day was a large success, proving that both the event and knowledge of sustainability are gaining popularity at the college.

“This is one of the best Solarfests I’ve ever been to,” she said. “There’s a lot of participation.”
   
Corey Smith may be contacted at csmith@keeneequinox.com