After a long day of travel back from Richmond, VA to visit family  I attended Denver’s Green Festival   with my 2 ½ year old daughter.  I left with three different impressions:

1.       Green Market (what is “Green Market”) and children:

I found that the green industry was very welcoming of children and was laid back when it came to talking, sharing their knowledge, or to even trusting me with their merchandise and gear. When I approached different vendors they handed me their products for review.  This is very different from the extensive negotiations that often take place with the outdoor industry. I found green businesses to be very friendly and laidback.

2.       Consumerism and the Green Market:

Unfortunately it seems that consumerism is the main driving force behind the green industry.  To me being green has a lot to do with spending less and being more frugal and conscientious of purchases. When walking around the festival it was clear that the main focus was marketing and product sales.  I could not approach a booth without first being bombarded with sale information, before I explained that I actually was part of the media and wanted to simply write about the green movement.  I actually had zero conversations about why such a person went green or why they thought a festival like this was important.

3.       Green market and the outdoors:

At the festival there was a section dedicated to children. Different local organizations had demonstration booths to get children excited about composting with worms, energy use and about natural habitats..  They also had arts activities and story time.  Adult presentations were offered about cooking, political issues and new innovations. We could not sit in on the speakers because I knew Cora would not sit still.

The thing that I found disappointing is that green marketing, the outdoor industry, and the parenting field should be working together much more closely than they are at the moment.  It seems to me that green living should be more about healthy eating and a balanced way of being.  I would love to see a larger representation of the outdoor industry at venues like this. Visiting most booths, I didn't get the impression that the reason that thinking and living green is important is that a green mindset will help us to preserve the environment, our health, and the health of our children.

 I recommend a visit to a Green Festival if you are interested in the industry’s latest trends or if you want a fun weekend indoor activity.

Heidi Ahrens

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