Pink Tutus and Saxophones - The Stone Soup Festival

*Center -Health Living- Left to Right are Mary Lee, Joanne Douglas and David Weightman

At the Stone soup festival I instantly saw and abundance of personality. Saturday May 8^th at Britannia, not only were there crowds of people gathering to drink the stone soup (free) but also to listen to a call to several needs in our community. I walked into the pavilion unsure of what I was going to encounter there at Britannia. Commercial Drive was well known to me; quirky and outrageous. There I saw people in pink tutus and people with saxophones walking around but I could see the glowing curiousness in their eyes; interest and concern were present.

The first table I walked to was the Vancouver coastal health table. I was first drawn in by Mary Lee’s friendliness; she opened by offering me a game (immediately I felt interested). The healthy living program encourages people to eat right and have a sense of proper proportions in our diet. The table had great speakers and a good game to get your attention. You spun a wheel with three choices; depending on the choice they would ask you a couple of questions on your own health. If you answered right you get a prize and some useful knowledge at the same time. I left with some awareness.

Next, I passed by a table labeled “Living Medicine Project.” We had a conversation about practices of natural medicine. He’d said he often takes a group of people, each time a new place to study local plants and their benefits to health. The organization offers an alternative to store bought medicines; available to everyone.

I was lucky enough to catch one of the films before I left. So not only tables with great people and great food but also films that relate to the festival itself (healthy food, environment and living). Though I did not watch the entire 70 minute film “Island on the edge” I did catch parts of it. It drew our attention to food producers and farmers of Vancouver Island and their struggle to provide for island residents that prefer cheaper, imported food.

Unfortunately I didn’t have any Stone Soup at the festival but don’t eat on the job right? I would encourage you all to go next year; there were great people, food, and entertainment for adults and children alike.