Living Local Day a Huge Success

Solar model car race winners show Tisbury School pride at Living Local Day.

A cluster of alternatively-powered cars, including this electric car, greeted visitors in front of the entrance to the hall.

Home-grown band Squash Meadow worked the crowd at Living Local Day

Between the sunshine, food, music, and full crowd at the Ag Hall last Saturday, it almost felt like an August day at the Fair.However, this event – more than socializing and entertainment – was promoting a sustainable Vineyard; a message well received by those in attendance.The Island Energy Project, the Vineyard Conservation Society and The Island Grown Initiative, all groups with experience and success promoting their individual causes, were responsible for pulling the event together.The Vineyard is uniquely blessed with a variety of organizations dedicated to sustainable practice, and it made sense to bring all of these groups together in one communal awareness-raising effort.Starting off the day energy expert Randy Udall and South Mountain's John Abrams spoke to a standing-room only crowd.A cluster of alternatively-powered cars greeted visitors outside of the hall. Inside, dozens of booths promoted everything from local farms to wind power. The highlight of the day was the solar-powered model car race. Vineyard sixth graders were busy all winter designing and building their tiny racers. An enthusiastic crowd cheered on the solar racers, even the group that barely made it past the starting line. Many of the participating organizations have hosted events in the past. However, none drew anywhere near this kind of crowd, proving solidarity may be the key to promoting a sustainable Vineyard.