Loose Leaf Notes

~The following was published in The Floyd Press on October 29, 2009 along with a photo spread (these and others). It also appears on the Press’s online site HERE.

Under unexpected blue skies, a banner crowd turned out for the first annual SplitRail Eco-Fair on Saturday, October 24th. “It’s a miracle,” one of the organizers said, referring to the forecasted rainy weather that didn’t happen.

Hosted by SustainFloyd, a citizen’s group promoting sustainable local economy, the Eco-Fair was timed with the International Day of Climate Action, a day of worldwide rallies and events calling for grassroots actions and bold leadership on climate change issues.

The Eco-Fair featured environmentally friendly crafts and businesses; educational exhibits on land use, alternative energy, and holistic health; martial arts and dance demonstrations; local baked goods; locally grown produce; musical entertainment; live theater; and a dedication to the new Floyd Community Market where the celebration of Floyd’s sounds, tastes, and talents was held.

Floyd Country Store owner and developer of the Community Market, Woody Crenshaw (left) gave the dedication address for the 3,000 square foot pavilion, which will be used for weekday parking and for selling local produce, crafts, and artwork on weekends. Saying, “This wasn’t here three weeks ago,” Crenshaw thanked the Professional Builders crew who constructed the structure in short order, along with the project’s supporters and volunteers. The Station (the adjacent newly renovated building) investors, Healing Harvest Forest Foundation, Streamline Timberworks, Wills Ridge Supply, Turman Lumber, and participating musicians – all of whom donated materials, services, and support – were also recognized.
“It takes a dedicated group of private investors who care about this community and a helpful local government,” Crenshaw said about the latest in Floyd’s downtown renewal.

Recalling the words of best-selling environmental author Bill McKibben, who spoke at the Country Store in May, Crenshaw reiterated that the development of Floyd’s unique local assets is what makes the community sustainable, adding, “We can’t know how we are affecting the future, but we know if nothing is done – if there is no intention or vision – we kind of know what’s going to happen.”

Following Crenshaw’s address, SustainFloyd member and Eco-Fair organizer Haden Polseno-Hensley led fair-goers in a dedication that involved the celebratory synchronized eating of local grown apples. ~ Colleen Redman

Photos: 1. The new Floyd Community Market filled with activity for first annual SplitRail Eco-Fair. 2. Rita Brown was one of the volunteers who staffed the vendor sign-up booth where SplitRail Eco-Fair commemorative T-shirts were sold. The organic cotton shirts were from Floyd’s Green Label Organic Sustainable Threads. The SustainFloyd painting pictured behind Brown was done by local artist Laurelsong Cook. 3. Local business developer and SustainFloyd founding member, Woody Crenshaw said the market was an investment in Floyd’s future. 4. The Young Actors Coop (YAC) presented original theater to an overflow crowd. The zany YAC play with a message about global warming was well received by the audience, whose members frequently erupted in laugher. 5. Decked out in a year’s worth of plastic bags, the Plastic Bag Monster (Rowan Chantal) drew attention from fair-goers of all ages. 6. SustainFloyd fair organizer and one of the builders of the Floyd Community Market, Haden Poleseno-Hensley led SplitRail Eco-Fair goers in a dedication that involved eating local grown apples.
Video clips of the YAC play are HERE and HERE. Scroll HERE for more Floyd Press stories.