POP Fest 2023 this weekend

The Protect Our Planet Fest is scheduled for Earth Day in Fairfield this weekend, April 22, at the Jefferson County fairgrounds. As the name indicates, POP FEST 2023 is a vibrant platform to share knowledge, cross-learn, connect, and celebrate and to inspire intergenerational collaboration for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. The daylong happening is open to everyone throughout Southeast Iowa, young and old alike, free of charge.

With a focus on youth, this year’s theme is “Regeneration, This Generation,” and is organized by the POP Movement in partnership with students from Maharishi International University, Fairfield High School, the Maharishi School, and the Southeast Iowa Sierra Club. Co-sponsors include Thymely Solutions, Everybody’s, Hy-Vee, Health and Wholeness, Café Paradiso, Big Acai, and Fairfield Public Library.

Informational and product booths will be hosted by additional POP FEST 2023 co-sponsors: Hazel & Gray, Lunchbox, Pollo Rico food truck, Southeast Iowa Sierra Club, Sustainable Living Coalition, Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc., Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, TerraCycle, MIU Sustainability Program, and the Fairfield Public Library.

Here’s what’s on the menu (besides goodies from The Lunch Box, Pollo Rico, and other vendors):

At noon, Dr. Ash Pachauri of the POP Foundation will kickoff the POP FEST 2023 festivities. An inspiring speaker, his outreach to youth and communities promotes global health and climate action.

Between 12 and 4 p.m., numerous activities for the young and the young-at-heart will be available. There will be children’s sessions with Fairfield Public Library’s Children’s Librarian, Sara Martindale; Zero Waste-themed games offered by the Southeast Iowa Sierra Club; and growing microgreens by Dean Menigoz, the crop production supervisor and field coordinator for MIU’s Regenerative Organic Agriculture Program. Additional good times will be organized by 4-H Clubs, students, and representatives from surrounding counties, Maharishi School, and Fairfield High School.

Since the event will be staged in both Fairgrounds buildings, beginning at 1 p.m. and concurrently with other activities, speakers will offer short talks on an array of earth-friendly topics. These include botanist Dr. David Fisher speaking on Just Grow it Yourself, home food gardening; Faith Reeves — an educator, farmer and local food system advocate — on soil health; Peter Lungren from Trees Forever on carbon sequestration; Stuart Valentine from Centered Wealth on impact investing; and Emma Colman on Sierra Club’s Iowa Beyond Coal Campaign.

During the day and into the evening, POP FEST 2023 wouldn’t be complete without live music from local bands Tray Good, Primary Colors, Quakescape and Poolhouse Jam.