The Living Lightly Fair
by Suzanne Clem, Living Lightly Committee
The Living Lightly Fair, will be held at Minnetrista on September 19 from 9–4 p.m. It is an annual celebration of resources for sustainable lifestyles. This year’s fair features ten engaging speakers, interactive kids’ activities, live music, a marketplace of green vendors, youth dance performances, food demos, the opportunity to test drive a hybrid car, and an expired medication drop-off.
Young fairgoers can meet a member of a Southdown sheep herd, sculpt a clay fish for the "River of Fish," plant a glove garden, and create a sun catcher out of finds from nature. There will also be chances for community members to hear plans for the new downtown Muncie Maker's Hub, as well as get up to speed on the Mounds Lake proposal, and discover how youth are becoming entrepreneurs through the Motivate our Minds garden. Learn about green burial practices, solar power, how to create a net zero energy house, and where you can borrow an energy meter for your home. Experience sustainable storytelling, view "The Greening of Middletown" videos, and clear your mind with yoga (bring a mat, if you have one!).
Planners of this year’s fair are excited to announce the new Green Room Stories, an all-ages opportunity to have your own sustainable stories and tips recorded and archived on Living Lightly's digital platforms, similar to NPR's Story Corps project. You’ll be able to tell us about your sustainable projects and the routines to help inspire others as we create a narrative history of sustainability in our community.
And although all of this is free, you’ll also save money in the long run by walking away with tips for reducing your electric or gas bills, increasing the output of your garden, or breathing repurposed life into defunct household items.
Do bring your wallet if you'd like to grab an eco-conscious bite from Payne's Restaurant or scope out the 50+ marketplace vendors for home or gift purchases.For more information, visit http://livinglightlyfair.org/
