Connecting the Passion of Our Community to the Needs of the World: The Sustainable Living Fair Returns

By: Ray Aberle

The 13th Annual Sustainable Living Fair is on tap for the third weekend in September. Over the past decade, the Fair has become more than just a trade show, festival or conference. It’s become a celebration of our Northern Colorado home.
Predating the Toyota Prius, USDA Organic certification, “An Inconvenient Truth” and Tour De Fat, the Fair continues to evolve as awareness concerning the health of our environment, communities, and future are constantly transformed. At the heart of the Fair is a deep sense of community and a desire to envision a future better than the present.
With over 70 free workshops, an entire section of the Fair dedicated to youth and families, four Keynote speakers, engaging exhibitors, five extended workshops and countless hands-on experiences, the Fair offers learning opportunities for everyone. In addition, the event features incredible local musicians, artists, and entertainers on the main stage. Couple this with the REAL Food market and a beer garden featuring BOTH New Belgium and Odell brews and the outdoor, under the sun and stars venue, a good time is bound to be had
by all.
This year’s mainstage events include emerging National Geographic Explorer, Alexandra Cousteau (granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau) and the Saturday evening Sustainable Bash with Futaba and Musketeer Gripweed. Also on Saturday is a Fair favorite, the Sustainable Fashion Show sponsored by Mama Said Sew. On Sunday, you can learn about Urban Homesteading with author Rachel Kaplan, hear some hip-hop from Earth Guardians youth acoustic ambassadors and finish off the event with The Constitution and our Fair blow-out with the Patti Fiasco band.
With the recent wildfires and ongoing drought, a special emphasis on water will take center stage at this year’s event. Along with Alexandra Cousteau,’s keynote, Dr. Wendy Pabich from Water Futures, Inc will be releasing her new book, “Taking on Water”. Additionally, an entire tract of workshop sessions will be provided for those recovering from the High Park Fire and admission to the event will be free
for those in the affected area.
The Sustainable Living Fair connects the passions of our community to the needs of our world. With countless entrepreneurs, back yard farmers, city dwellers and mountain folk, cyclists, and artists, So Pro, No Pro and beyond. The third weekend in September is the right time to celebrate our home and it’s promise for an abundant future.
Fair Details:
The 13th Annual Sustainable Living Fair takes place at Legacy Park, 300 Woodlawn Drive, along the Poudre River in North Fort Collins. Fair hours are: Saturday, September 15th from 10am-6pm (with Musketeer on-stage to 7:30pm) and Sunday, September 16th from 10am-5pm (Patti Fiasco plays to 6:45pm). Entrance fee is $8 per day, kids 12 and under free. Parking is available around the venue with best locations at Lee Martinez Park, Chipper’s Lanes, or even better – saddle up and ride your bike. Shuttles will be servicing the Old Town area as well. For all details please check: www.sustianablelivingfair.org