Washington D.C. Green Festival Draws a Crowd of
Over 24,000
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by Ryan Jones
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 10, 2008) — The Green Festival in
Washington, D.C. this last weekend attracted over 24,000 people strong. The
event, which was jointly organized by human rights activist, Global Exchange,
and Co-op America, was a testament to the increasing number of people going
green and living healthily.
While sustainability was certainly at the core of Green Festival, a strong
theme throughout the two-day event was politics and democracy. Former
presidential candidate, Ralph Nader, held a speech that urged people to speak
out against corporate politics, and Frances Moore Lappe, who is co-founder of
Small Planet Institute, cited the dangers of foreign market dependence.
Overall, Green Festival was true to its name, providing a festive atmosphere
for the thousands who flocked from all over the U.S. to the Washington D.C.
Convention Center. Over 400 exhibitors set up shop with their wares and/or
literature, including many non-profits committed to environmental and social
issues. Exhibitors were organized by their respective services along both sides
of six long aisles running the full length of the convention space, including a
children's education section that housed a rainforest trailer by Discovery
Creek.
Exhibitors were very pleased with the outcome of the event, although there
was some sentiment that most of the people who attended were already familiar
with green living. One of the challenges the green movement faces is having more
outreach to the general public...In other words, making the green movement more
mainstream while still holding onto the principles and values held dear by its
supporters.
The Green Festival previous to DC was Green Fest Chicago, which attracted a
record-breaking 31,000 plus attendees, no-doubt reflecting Chicago's quest to
become the greenest city in the U.S. Next, Green Festival is off to San
Francisco (November 14-16), where it is expected to draw an even larger and
enthusiastic crowd.
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