The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

AFTER months of planning and preparing, organisers from NaturaLife – The Whole Life Company are anxious to witness the enjoyment, fulfilment and satisfaction of everyone who attends this year’s Green Earth Festival.

Under the theme “Living The Way Nature Intended”, the 2014 Green Earth Festival will be held this Sunday from 12pm to 8pm.

For the past three years, Seedling’s Place and the Green Earth Festival have provided events for wellness enthusiasts and nature lovers to access the things they need to improve their lifestyles. Now for its fourth edition, under the new stewardship of NaturaLife, the Green Earth Festival is again joining forces with the Bahamas National Trust as its venue partner to host the event, which organisers promise will be the biggest and best one yet.

Festival founder Rhonda Wright told Tribune Health that there are a few new additions to this year’s festival that she is excited about. There is the Organic Digest, which is the company’s very own health, wellness and green living resource mini magazine. Copies of the magazine will be handed out to the Green Earth festival-goers while supplies last and they are exploring options of creating an online issue for the fall.

Auto Mall, a sponsor of this year’s festival, will be providing test driving opportunities for persons who are looking to make the transition to a hybrid vehicle.

This week, organisers will also be hosting an online natural hair competition on the Green Earth Festival Facebook page under the theme, “Knotty by Nature”.

The competition will culminate at the festival with a natural hair parade and announcement of the 2015 “Knotty By Nature Naturalista” online and overall winners.

As proponents of natural hair, Rhonda said NaturalLife is very excited about adding this element of fun and excitement to the proceedings.

Festival-goers can also expect a full day of activities and exciting entertainment, she said.

There will be live demonstrations of belly dancing, yoga for children and lessons on how to make cooling summer treats.

There will be a lineup of speakers presenting on various topics, including raising healthy children; swapping out kitchen products, and women and men’s health.

International guest speaker Dr Akua Gray will present a talk on “Holistic Sexuality”, her most recent book release. 
Other special guest speakers include Dr Patti Symonette, Dr Dwight Marshall, Dr Ida Mae Hanna, Chef Amunet Hika KaRa and Da Bahamian Vegan, and Gio Cooper.

Entertainment will range from fire dancing, drumming, a high-energy fitness demonstration to the NaturaLife Kids Camp with a petting zoo, pony rides and bouncing castle. Additionally, there will be all day music provided by the sounds of DJ Ampero, she said.

Rhonda said over the years they have seen attendance numbers grow; they have also seen an increase in the topics addressed and international speakers featured, as well as more participation by local businesses.

“Green Earth Festival is seen as the event to participate in which allows the opportunity to communicate to the targeted audience of persons interested in their personal health, wellness and that of their families, communities and Mother Earth,” Rhonda said. “The festival will undoubtedly become one of the biggest and well-known and established health, wellness and sustainability events in the region. We expect to continue attracting individuals and establishments that are within the Bahamas who offer products and/or services that align with Green Earth Festival, and each year we will expand what we offer to the public and find dynamic ways to deliver.”

She said they will continue to evaluate the festival and make necessary adjustments and enhancements to facilitate the growth of the event. They also hope to attract international exhibitors.

Eventually, Rhonda said, they see themselves being able to take Green Earth Festival to other parts of the world.
Aisha Nesut Ani, holistic health coach and NaturaLife partner, said working with Rhonda to assist with producing yet another Green Earth Festival has been an incredible and fulfilling experience.

She said it is exciting to be a part of a group focused on providing alternatives and solutions for restoring Mother Nature and bringing lives back into balance.

Aisha said she looks forward to seeing the Bahamian people taking advantage of this event designed to educate, empower and entertain.

For more information on how to attend or participate in the Green Earth Festival, call event organisers at 698-2755 or 376-1213.