Grayson Earth Day Festival

On Saturday, May 10, the 1st Annual Earth Day Festival was held in Independence, VA with 25 vendors and exhibitors in attendance. At 10 am, Vice Mayor of Independence Tom Maxwell assisted in cutting the ribbon for the opening of the weekly Independence Farmer’s Market. Plants, local beef, pork and lamb, eggs, butter and artisan breads were available. All goods sold at the Farmer’s Market are local products grown or produced within 100 miles.

350 represents the maximum parts per million of carbon dioxide that the Earth can tolerate and unfortunately, the Earth is currently at 385. Festival attendees formed the numerals 350 on red, white and blue poster board to be uploaded to the website www.350.org to put Independence and Grayson County on a worldwide map of those striving to make a difference.

There were bees, butterflies and sea turtles trapped in nets in the Procession of the Species Parade and they were joined by representatives from Grayson Natural Foods, the area Food Co-op, the VFW Color Guard, Rouse House Music and the Iron Mountain Trail Riders. After the parade, Earth Mama entertained the audience with her planet healing songs of earth, spirit and community. A raffle of environmentally friendly prizes was held and Joel Wilson won a 15” flat screen TV.

Organizers of the events would like to send a big thank-you to Grayson National Bank and all Town of Independence Special Events Committee sponsors as well as participating members of UpTown Independence, the vendors, exhibitors and volunteers who took time out of their busy Mother’s Day weekend to take part in the 1st annual Grayson Earth Day Festival.

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