As summer comes rolling around the bend, young and old alike start to get a little bit stir crazy.  When the days start getting longer, and the air just a bit warmer, what better way to spend your time than to plan for some summer fun – sustainable summer fun, that is.

Termed “Sustainable Festivation,” musicians and festival organizers are planning these annual events with a keener, greener eye these days. 

Telluride Bluegrass Festival is one event that has been aiming for a carbon-neutral festival experience for several years, and has been 100% wind powered since 2003.  The festival promises to not only work to create a sustainable mindset, but to encourage attendees to make energy efficient and sustainable changes in their own lives.

How do they encourage this?

Performers are given gifts of reusable water canteens, and no plastic water bottles are used backstage.  For those who are not lucky enough to mingle backstage with the stars, there are free waterspouts available for those who wish to reuse their own water bottles throughout the festival.

Campsites throughout the town of Telluride hold competitions for the most sustainable campsite – with campers employing anything from solar powered blenders to mini-water turbine powered disco balls.

Along with this, vendors are required to serve food on biodegradable plates and drinks in cups made of cornstarch.  Alongside the many garbage cans located around the festival grounds are located bins for recyclables and compost – which is filled with used plates, cups and utensils that will all return to their natural state.

And, as if it couldn’t sound more idyllic, the festival is working to increase the percentage of organic, local produce used on festival grounds.  An estimated 75% of backstage food will be made with local, organic produce this coming summer.

All of this might sound hopeful, but what about all those plane rides and cars trekking up the mountains to Telluride? Along with encouraging carpooling, walking and bike riding, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival committee and partners purchases carbon offsets to reduce the festival’s carbon footprint of all performers, workers and attendees.

If you’re in the Telluride, Colorado area this summer, plan on a visiting a planet-friendly festival. Grab your lawn chair and your reusable water bottle, and enjoy your summer days with renowned musicians and newfound friends, while still working to save the planet.

Visit the Telluride Bluegrass Fesitval website for more information.

Image courtesy of bluegrass.com/telluride

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