JACKSON, Wyo. — Around 193 countries participate in Earth Day every April 22, celebrating the planet and the people working to make it a great place to live. It could be said, however, that Jackson celebrates Earth Day a little late every year.
Since 2003, Energy Conservation Work’s EcoFair has been bringing together families, organizations and businesses to share ideas and celebrate simple and sustainable living in the Tetons. This year’s celebration will be held on May 11 on the Center for the Arts Lawn. For the last 16 years, Virginia Powell Symons has been at the core of this effort – from a first-year volunteer to event manager.
As the owner and operator of Vibrant Events, Virginia is no stranger to the balancing act of pulling off big events with dozens of vendors, hundreds of attendees and thousands of little details. What makes EcoFair special is that all this is accomplished with a commitment to creating as little waste as possible. In fact, last year’s EcoFair created less than 13 lbs of landfill-bound waste — a huge accomplishment from an event of over 1,200 people.
In 2016, EcoFair became the very first event to receive the new “Road to Zero Waste Green Event” certification. Collaborating with like-minded community members like Mac Dukart and Scott Steen, Virginia spearheaded efforts to rethink, reduce and eliminate the resources that EcoFair uses. Their vision materialized at Virginia’s dining room table, where they conceptualized the very first “Road to Zero Waste Green Event” banner.
“Over its 20-year history, EcoFair has amplified the work of many great organizations in our community and has allowed us to come together to learn, celebrate and take action. The work of Virginia and Vibrant Events is core to the event’s success,” says Phil Cameron, ECW’s executive director.”
Sponsor organizations like the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board and the JH Airport make it possible to continue to put on this annual spring event every year. Virginia and her team bring the passion and imagination it needs to continue to be fun and engaging!
“Now it’s been 16 years since my first EcoFair, and (along with Balloon Rally) it is the community event that means the most to me,” Virginia said. “We help folks realize that the little things really do matter, and that they can do little things themselves; that we’re all part of making a real difference in the world, and how good it feels to be part of that community.
She added, “There are some little things from earlier years that I’d like to get back, like community workshops and an excited, engaged sponsor for the EcoKids Discovery Zone, and I look forward to what kind of creative ideas come to the event in the future. The constant is the amazing value in celebrating simple and sustainable living in the Tetons.”
Visit jacksonecofair.org for the scoop on everything EcoFair, including how to participate as a vendor!
Visit the EcoFair on Saturday, May 11, from 12 to 5 p.m. at the JH Center for the Arts – brought to the community by Energy Conservation Works.
