The sun shone, wind turbines spun, the solar-powered car revved and all 9,000 visitors had a great time at Eco-Fest 2007 on Markeaton Park in September.
The free biennial festival is designed to provide an entertaining and enjoyable two days for the whole family while, at the same time, raising awareness of environmental issues.
The main theme for 2007 was climate change and every organisation participating was asked to reflect this in what they brought to the event.
The 2007 event featured the ever popular Croissant Neuf,
the world’s only wind and solar-powered, all-human circus, with Professor Kayoss and his ‘Answer to Everything Machine’. Clowning supremo Strawberry Jam used her incredible skills with a magic washing machine and model chickens to explain the complex issues surrounding climate change.
The Green Roadshow and areas with different themes, such as ‘Waste Not Want Not’, ‘Grow Your Own’, ‘Do One Thing for Wildlife’ and ‘TravelWise’ had a wide range of activities for children. They took part in QUAD’s fire and water sculpture workshops, bird and bat box-making, cycle try-outs, BMX riding and ‘unfair games’ to demonstrate how world trade is organised to benefit richer countries. There were also lots of great green prizes given away.
The ‘Home In on Energy and Climate Change’ area hosted the Council’s Home Energy Advice Service mobile vehicle and the Everybody’s Talking About Climate Change vehicle. Here, people wanting to cut their energy consumption and install renewable energy devices were able to get information.
Storytellers from across the Midlands performed in the Storytelling Café before packed audiences, and two music stages, one of which was solar-powered, featured popular bands, mainly from Derby.
The morals of a bygone age were resurrected in the Ditch 2 Switch marquee where people could experience the buzz of eco-friendly and guilt-free shopping at one of the UK’s first giant public clothes swaps.
The ‘Spirit Zone’, hosted by the Forum of Faiths for Derby, provided a space for reflection and meditation on the need to work together in harmony to protect our planet.
Feedback from young and old, stallholders, artists and the media was that everyone had a really enjoyable time.
Future Park Events.
For further information contact
Derby City Council
Regeneration and Community
Roman House
Friar Gate
Derby DE1 1XB
Telephone 01332 256276 Minicom 01332 256666 Fax 01332 255989 email climate.change@derby.gov.uk