Exhibitors Wanted For First Annual Iron Range Earth Fest

Exhibitors Wanted for First Annual Iron Range Earth Fest

The first annual Iron Range Earth Fest will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2009: 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. at the Mt. Iron Community Center and the Messiah Lutheran Church. This exciting event is presented by the Iron Range Partnership for Sustainability (IRPS): Club Mesabi, Inc., Hope Presbyterian Church Green Team, Messiah Lutheran Church Creation Care Team, Natural Harvest Food Co-op, Laurentian Environmental Center, North St Louis Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Virginia Sustainability Task Force
The mission of the IRPS is to stimulate a practical, multi-sector environmental movement on the Iron Range working towards creating a sustainable future for our children and our communities. The Earth Fest Goal is to hold a broad based, high energy, well-coordinated and publicized community event to stimulate conversation and share traditional and technological approaches for a sustainable future in Minnesota and the Iron Range.

Part of the Earth Fest Goal is also to:
1. Share traditional skills for sustainable living (e.g. gardening, composting, hunting, trapping, fishing, canning, quilting, weaving, wine and beer making).
2. Feature a broad spectrum of community groups, businesses, municipalities, power companies, churches, and environmental organizations and agencies around concern for a sustainable future in Minnesota and the Iron Range.
3. Involve a diversity of adults and children from our area, not limited to people who already see themselves as environmentalists.
4. Create the foundation for an annual event which continues to builds a broad-based, practical Iron Range movement for sustainability.

The event components will include:
. A Taste of the Range featuring foods traditional to the Iron Range along with foods made from locally grown and raised sources.
. How-to booths and informative displays on practical skills for sustainable living
. Informative and interactive displays about environmental impact and care.
. A series of demonstrations and talks on a wide range of topics in a separate area.
. Activities appealing to all ages.
. Live music.
. A well-known keynote speaker to begin or conclude the event.

A warm thank you is extended to the following Sponsors / Participating Groups:
. Northeast Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnership
. Media Sponsors:
Home Town Focus Newspaper
KAXE Radio
. Mt Iron Community Education – April 17th concert with Pat Surface and the Boundary Water Boys
. Mesabi Family YMCA – coordinating with Healthy Kids Day on April 18th
. Civic, Government, Non-Profit Organizations
. Local businesses offering sustainable products or services
. Individuals with skills to share or knowledge of local sustainability

For more information contact:
Ardy Nurmi-Wilberg, Event Coordinator
1322 12th St So
Virginia, MN 55792
218-749-4331 (home office)
ardynw@msn.com