Fairfield Environmental Film Festival Inspires

A girl from Togo

There’s a new festival in town. The Fairfield Environmental Film Festival will premiere on May 5^th and run till the 7^th at Sacred Heart University’s Martire Business and Communications Center, 5481 Park Avenue, Fairfield, CT  06825.

Sponsored by Fairfield Earth Day Committee, Bigelow Tea, and Sacred Heart’s Film and Television Master’s Program, the event will feature documentary films exploring a variety of environmental subjects- from water and air quality to energy issues and the importance of diversity in species, to the history of environmentalism. Filmed around the world, they address global issues, yet all turn the conversation back to how each person can make a difference locally.

Justin Liberman, Co Program Director of Sacred Heart’s FTMA notes “I believe strongly in the mission of the Fairfield Environmental Film Festival and am excited to partner with them and share these important films and issues. Here at FTMA we encourage our students to tell important stories passionately and I think these films represent just that. Film is a universal way to communicate complex ideas and we are proud to participate in this exhibition.”

The screening of each film will be followed by panel discussions with experts, local business leaders, environmental advocacy groups, state and local officials, faith leaders and community groups. Some that will be attending will be The Connecticut Green Bank, The CT League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, CT Audubon, The Fairfield County Interfaith Alliance on Climate Change, and Fairfield student organization Objective 350.  State Representatives Cristin McCarthy Vahey of Fairfield and Jonathan Steinberg of Westport will be panelists.

McCarthy Vahey, who will be attending Saturday afternoon’s screening Trashed is looking forward to the festival.  “I’m thrilled to participate in an event that raises awareness about such an important issue – the stewardship of the environment. Through its film selections this festival raises awareness of a broad range of environmental issues. We have a responsibility to preserve the Earth for future generations, and this starts the conversation about what each of us can do.”   Also sitting on the Trashed Panel will be Albert P’an, COO of Norwalk’s Yumi Eco Solutions, a local company creating products that are biodegradable, compostable, renewable.

Fairfield’s First Selectman Mike Tetreau will be moderating Friday night’s panel discussion of This Changes Everything.  ”I’m happy that this is taking place in Fairfield,” says Tetreau.  “I think its great that so many different stakeholders are involved in this program.  Anything we can do to raise awareness of the significant and growing environmental issues that are impacting our town, our state and our world is very important. “

Cindi Bigelow, President & CEO of Bigelow Tea, sponsor of the festival, agrees. “It all begins by raising awareness of the issues that confront us, and working every day to create solutions that make a difference.” Bigelow is one of Fairfield’s most sustainable companies, and Bigelow notes, “while our primary focus has always been on delivering a fine, flavorful cup of tea, behind the scenes we have installed solar panels that offset 15% of our energy usage and implemented composting and recycling procedures that have made Bigelow Tea a Zero Waste to Landfill company. For three generations, the Bigelow family has lived by the motto, “Do the right thing and good things will follow.”

So step right up! Come see the change, be the change.

The FEFF Schedule is as follows:

The Wisdom to Survive – Thu, May 5, at 6pm (Opening night reception)

This Changes Everything – Fri, May 6, at 7pm

Trashed – Sat, May 7, at 3pm

 A Fierce Green Fire – Sat, May 7, at 6pm

All screenings are Free and Open to the Public.

Address Frank and Marisa Martire Business & Communications Center, 5481 Park Avenue, Fairfield CT, 06825.

For more information and to preview films go to: https://fairfieldearthday.wordpress.com/film-festival/

What’s FUN @ FEDC2016? Lotsa stuff!!

LIVE MUSIC ALL DAY in multiple venues…our schedule is coming together, please take a look to see who we know is coming thus far.  Many folks have told us we should say we’re a Music Festival because we have so much wonderful, live music throughout the event – some see what you think!

PERENNIAL FAVORITES 

TRASHY FASHIONS by our friends at Lauralton Hall and Burr Elementary’s Roots & Shoots Club.                                                                                                                 

                                                   FACE PAINTING

 

FOOD TRUCKS….YUMMMM!
Christophe’s Crepes LLC
Maple Craft Foods
Meriano’s Bakery & Cannoli Truck
Snowie of CT
Taco Loco Truck
Have a Ball

 

CRAFTS we supply…and many of our Exhibitors have fun things for kids of all ages to do at their stations.

Refrigerator Magnets: Made with recycled paperboard and magnets. Kids will glue a list of what goes into their recycling bins onto a paperboard square with a magnet on it. They can decorate it and stick  it on their refrigerator to remind them of the correct items to recycle.

Bookmarks: Made from recycled paperboard and plastic newspaper bags. Kids will slip knot a plastic loop into the pre-punched hole and decorate.

(Carbon) Footprint Door Hangers: Kids will glue 3 different pictures of ways to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint onto a paperboard foot. They can color the pictures and hang it on a door at home to remind them to save energy.

Newspaper Hats:  The hats are made from recycled newspapers and the kids will be able to color and glue on  different things they can do to help keep the earth clean.

Lorax Masks: We’ve got all the fixings for kids to make a Lorax mask so they can “speak for the trees.”

COOL STUFF FROM THE PAST

 

A 1898 Electric Car!

 

 

Working, life-sized replica of the airplane Gustave Whitehead flew in Bridgeport 2 years BEFORE the Wright Brothers flew the Kitty Hawk in NC!  Mr. Whitehead  lived in Fairfield not far from our event!  See the web site devoted to this topic.  Here’s something to whet your appetite:

In the early hours of 14 August 1901, the Condor propelled itself along the darkened streets of Bridgeport, Connecticut, with Whitehead, his staff and an invited guest in attendance. In the still air of dawn, the Condor’s wings were unfolded and it took off from open land at Fairfield, 15 miles from the city, and performed two demonstration sorties. The second was estimated as having covered 1½ miles at a height of 50 feet, during which slight turns in both directions were demonstrated.

Federal and State LEGISLATOR FORUM  where the politicians don’t give speeches but give answer your questions…come ready to ask them about things important to you!  We hold this in the 3rd Annual Earth Day Art Contest Gallery.

 

 

AND, of course, ALL OUR WONDERFUL EXHIBITORS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CTO – GBYO @ FEDC on 4/30 at FWHS!

The sounds of music will fill the courtyard at Fairfield Warde H.S. during Fairfield’s annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 30^th.

There will be something for everyone as Earth Day perennials Rob Carlson and The Benefit Street Band, The Mostly Green Band, and former CT State Troubadour Kristen Graves are on hand to celebrate the Earth with rousing Rock & Roll, Pop and Folk.

There are some new kids on the quad as well.  The Concert Orchestra of the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras (GBYO) will be making their Earth Day debut at 1:30pm and adding a classical touch to the event.  This exceptional group of 58 young musicians will be performing Verdi’s “Overture to Nabucco” and “Russian Sailors’ Dance” by Reinhold Gliere, among other pieces.

GBYO has 290 musicians comprising 6 separate ensembles. Concert is the first level full orchestra. Musicians from Concert progress to Symphony and then on to Principal Orchestra as their skills develop.

“Concert Orchestra is proud to be representing GBYO in this wonderful community event,” says Concert Orchestra Conductor Erica Messina. “To have the opportunity to play an outdoor concert, and for the Fairfield community, is exciting for our musicians.”

Many of the youngsters are from Fairfield, Trumbull, Bridgeport, and Westport and Norwalk.  But they also hail from as far away as Southbury, New Fairfield and E. Lyme.

The musicians of GBYO must participate in their school music programs, creating a bond between GBYO and their schools and communities.

Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration is all about community as well, bringing together over 1,000 attendees and 100 exhibitors and sponsors to learn, celebrate, create new bonds in celebration of our common home.  In addition to music, the day features an art contest, interesting and educational exhibits and a myriad of family-friendly activities like face painting, arts and crafts, fun and games, and of course, the food trucks.

 

 

 

 

Art Contest Winners Ceremony

Congratulations to Annika Vuppala, Anna Paulmann & Laura Herron, Rachel Grella, Emilia Kozeracki, Gwendolyn Kardos, Emilia Kozeracki & Grace Giandurco, Catalina O’Connor, Eloise Essig, Charlotte Barrato, Ginia Kohler, Melissa DiCostanzo, Sophie Lipset, Diego Alarcon, and Greyson Moore for winning the 3rd Annual Fairfield Earth Day Art Contest!

There will be a special Press Event tomorrow, Monday, April 25, 2016, at 5pm in the First Floor Conference Room of Sullivan Independence Hall (725 Old Post Road) to highlight and recognize this year’s winners.

FairTV will be covering this event live as well as recording it for rebroadcast on the FairTV Government channel and on demand access via the web.  First Selectman Mike Tetreau will be congratulating the winners personally.  Art Contest Committee members Emma Gleysteen (chair), Cara Bebey, and Ethan Kohn are also expected to participate in the ceremony.

Also, please come to the Fairfield Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 30th, 10am-4pm at Fairfield Warde High School, 755 Melville Avenue.  The gallery of Art Contest entries, as well as other pieces of art created by students, will be on display in the Fairfield Warde High School LMC Lecture Room all day.  The event is free and held rain or shine.  There is live music in several venues all day, as well as food trucks, arts & crafts, fun & games, Federal and State Legislators, Trashy Fashion show, 100+ exhibitors and so much more!

Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration Named One of Best in the Nation!

Town of Fairfield News

4/11/2016 – Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration Among Best in Nation 

Selectman Mike Tetreau announced today that LeafFilter North Inc., which is one of the most environmentally friendly companies that has a vested interest in sustainability, has included Fairfield, Connecticut on its top 11 places to celebrate Earth Day this year. Fairfield is the only Connecticut locale to make this list. The company cited Fairfield “as a leader in the sustainability category, with its long history of eco-friendly outreach programs and dedication to raising awareness of environmental issues within the community.”

According to this company, “To celebrate Earth Day and help homeowners become more environmentally conscious, a list of standout Earth Day events was compiled for 2016. Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration, which is taking place rain or shine and free of charge on Saturday April 30 from 10-4 pm at Fairfield Warde High School, 755 Melville Avenue, was named one of the best upcoming events of 2016.

Earth Day events on this list were chosen for their unique offerings, like educational lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. Community commitment to sustainability was another factor. To get the whole list of nationwide communities selected as places to celebrate this year’s Earth Day, go to  http://www.leaffilter.com/blog/top-11-places-celebrate-earth-day-plus-5-bonus-kids-earth-day-events/.”

Fairfield Earth Day’s annual major event, Fairfield’s Earth Day Celebration, attracts over 1000 attendees and over 100 exhibitors and sponsors with the assistance of over 100 volunteers. The event features live music, a variety of food trucks, a myriad of family-friendly activities like face painting, arts and crafts, fun and games, Touch-a-Truck and a full-size working replica of Gustave Whitehead’s Condor which was first flown in Fairfield—two years before the Wright Brothers’ flight.

Starting in 2014, an art contest was launched for students in all grades, beginning with pre-school through grade 12. An award ceremony is held each year at a Board of Selectmen meeting where winners are issued certificates of congratulations. Art categories include dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts. This year’s theme is “What If…..” Hundreds of entries are displayed at the Earth Day event in a gallery at the high school where Connecticut’s Federal and State legislators speak about how they are championing causes and initiatives to help protect the environment.

For information on Fairfield Earth Day, please visit www.FairfieldEarthDay.org. In addition to reading about this year’s Earth Day Celebration, click on “home” to read about all of the yearly activities, programs, helpful tips and interesting facts the Committee works hard to provide to the community.

Fairfield Earth Day Committee Chair Mary Hogue said, “This fun-filled event celebrates making every day Earth Day in Fairfield, which is this year’s theme. Every year, this popular day, which keeps getting bigger and better, attracts more adults and children from Fairfield, other towns and even other states. We hope you can join us!”

First Selectman Mike Tetreau stated, “It is a great honor for our Town to be recognized nationwide for our annual Earth Day Celebration. This year’s event which features activities for people of all ages could not be made possible without the hard work and commitment of Fairfield’s Earth Day Committee, as well as the many sponsors, exhibitors and volunteers who dedicate their time to make this an enjoyable experience.”  First Selectman Tetreau further added, “Thanks to the Fairfield Earth Day Committee, Fairfield’s taxpayers have benefited from the Committee’s year-round efforts to help sponsor or promote cost-savings programs relating to solar, clean energy and other environmental initiatives.”

The photo shows Fairfield Earth Day Committee Chair Mary Hogue and First Selectman Mike Tetreau.

Art Contest Deadline Has Arrived!

Thanks for all the wonderfully creative entries for this year’s Art Contest!  We’ll be announcing this year’s winners very soon!

One More Week ‘Til Art Contest Deadline!

Calling all Preschoolers – 12th Graders!

April 1st is the deadline to get your submissions in to this year’s Fairfield Earth Day Art Contest.  The theme this year is “What if…” tied to the environment / sustainability.

This is not an April Fool’s Day prank!  Get your submissions into the colorful Fairfield Earth Day Art Contest boxes at all public and parochial schools, public libraries, Pequot Library and Sullivan Independence Hall by 4/1/2016!  Please remember – only 2-D for Visual Arts entries.  If you are submitting anything other than visual arts or photography, you can send your submission to FairfieldEarthDay@gmail.com.

For more information please see our Art Contest page.  Still have questions?  Get in touch at FairfieldEarthDay@gmail.com or (203) 590-1755.  Can’t wait to see all the creative pieces you’ve been working on!