Youngstown's first Grey to Green Festival

Hats off (or umbrellas up) to the organizers, volunteers and brave, soggy participants of Youngstown's first Grey to Green Festival! I refused to let my spirits be dampened by the weather as I made my way back and forth across Elm Street between Wick Park and the locally grown produce at the Northside Farmer's Market in front of the First Unitarian Universalist Church. While the festival folks labored to raise awnings over vendors and exhibits I poured over tables piled with the year's late harvest vegetables. The Jackson Maters farmers (North Jackson, Ohio) had a lovely table of heirloom tomatoes, beans and more - and they'll be glad to provide you with an informational CD of photos and descriptions of the 70 varieties of heirloom tomatoes they grow. I chose a small box each of red and black zebras. The folks At the Jones Orchard table were showing some older varieties of apples that are unavailable in groceries. I was offered a slice of a tart, firm-fleshed nonpariel apple that was crisp and delicious. I left the table with the nonpariells and some tiny, perfect nectarines.

The festival itself was wet but wonderful. Community environmental organizations were well-represented, including folks from Audubon, Mahoning Valley Greens, Salt Springs Sierra Club, Angels for Animals, Outspokin' Wheelmen and more, plus vendors selling imports, green cleaning products, home construction, soy candles, herbs and incense and art.

At lunch time i ventured back across Elm street to the tent where veggie kabobs and pasta bowls were being prepared on a small grill under a rain fly. For $5 I had one of the most delicious meals I've had in my life, comprised of flatbread topped with warmed pasta, homemade tomato sauce made from heirloom tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and grilled peppers and eggplant. I managed to get a generous amount of it on myself, but I enjoyed all I was able to eat and the rain washed most of the rest off.

Because of the weather I missed much of the entertainment, but I hope to see even more next year at what I hope will become an annual tradition. The idea of a greener Youngstown is so important to the city's re-growth, and it was wonderful to see so many beneficial organizations together for the event. This was a nicely coordinated event. One more reason to ignore Sarah Palin - let's hear it for community organizers!