Not many years ago the Earth Day activities in Ottawa consisted of a small group of businesses, organizations, and volunteer groups gathering on Sparks Street to promote sustainable living. The event was small, pedestrian-friendly, and outdoors. We were there rain or shine, and the weather ranged from snow one year to sunburns another (of course, being a redhead means that I can be sunburnt regardless of weather conditions). It was a cheerful day, with some regulars coming out – the Sierra Club, who organized it for a while, Arbour the Environmental Store, Seventh Generation, and the Raging Grannies were some we often saw there. We came to recognize faces from different faith communities, student activists from the universities and other schools, and representatives from some government agencies. Ted and I first came to promote Keen For Green, an environmental camp we ran at Carleton University. Other years we came as ourselves, CanaDiana UnlimiTed, to provide free nature and ecoeducation activities for passersby.
We took a break from some of that while Ted was working fulltime and I was back at university as a fulltime student. In the meantime, the environmental movement in Ottawa grew. Now the EcoStewardship Fair is an established event, usually held at the RA Centre on Riverside, and attended by many. It is a much larger, more visible, and well-attended fair, attracting people from around the city and featuring many more displays and attractions than the little group of us on Sparks Street.
Still, I miss a bit of the old feel. I miss the Raging Grannies holding up their knitted social support net, and chanting their marvellous poems and songs about peace, the environment, and social justice. I miss the colourful sidewalk chalk masterpieces made by artists and children to educate and illustrate about eco-issues. I miss the community and the handmade signs. Don’t get me wrong, the new fair is great – the 100-mile buffet was fantastic, the advertising good, the booths numerous. However, there is an increasing feeling that this event is not about passion, but about presentation. The atmosphere is a little less cheery and a little more dreary. I guess I am such a naturalist at heart that I am almost put off by the professionally designed logos, the slick backdrops, the sleek flyers and TV screens and plastic name badges. I prefer more joy, more hand-created artwork, less linear ways of expressing care for the planet and concern for its people. I also missed the interfaith eco-spiritual aspect this year. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I could have explored some of the speeches (I was working at a booth the whole day) or if there was some natural light around. I find it very difficult to be in a large rectangular room with artifical lighting and crowds of people echoing everywhere – it exhausts me. I certainly felt this even more at the Go Green trade show, where I was a bit dismayed by some of the corporate feel. At least that one had natural light and a bit more of an open feel to it. I certainly am still enthusiastic about fairs, and enjoy meeting the hundreds who stop by the booth. I love taking a wee break and swinging around to check out the booths and displays, seeing and touching and tasting some of the wares (great roasted portabella mushrooms!). But I have more fun at fairs where there is singing, and wind and water and sun to deal with – even it if it is less comfortable – where people can camp out for the day, have a picnic, listen to some music, and let their kids and dogs roam around. (Lanark’s Art of Being Green, let the doggies in!!!)
http://keenforgreen.carleton.ca/
http://ottawagogreenexpo.com/visitor/index.html
