If you’re looking for a fun outdoor activity for next Friday afternoon, South’s environmental club, Students Advocating for a Greener Environment (SAGE), is hosting their first ever festival Friday, April 15 from 4:30-7 on the BHSS campus. In honor of April being Earth month, SAGE-Fest is an environment themed celebration. This event will feature guest speakers, environmental advocates and organizations from our community, as well as live music from a student group and local food.

With local speakers and organizations, SAGE-Fest will be a great opportunity to educate yourself about our local and global environment. Emma Shaw, a junior leader in SAGE, says, “I’m most excited for SAGE-Fest because I think it will be a fun yet educational experience for South.” Organizations like Bloomington Environmental Commission, Canopy Bloomington, Yellowwood Youth, and many others will have booths at the festival and be available to discuss anything Earth related as well as internships and volunteering opportunities.

SAGE Secretary Iris Kreilkamp is heavily involved in the planning of SAGE Fest. Since SAGE hasn’t been able to host any events in two years due to Covid, Kreilkamp and other members of SAGE are thrilled for the festival. “I’m excited to see SAGE get more involved in the school and community again,” Kreilkamp says. 

SAGE hasn’t been very involved in the past two years due to Covid, but they hope to change that with the festival. SAGE president Eva Stuart says, “One of our main goals for this year was to get more involved with South students and remind them who we are and what we care about.”

There will be a thrift clothing swap at the festival, and anyone is welcome to participate. To be a part of the swap, bring in your gently used clothing to the SAGE booth during all lunches the week of April 11-15th. They will then give you a ticket you can use to purchase clothing. You may also purchase clothing for a small price the day of the festival. 

SAGE Fest will be an exciting event to kick off a post-Covid SAGE club and allow people who aren’t in SAGE themselves to learn about the environment. Food at the festival will be from local restaurant Pizza X, and the first 100-200 festival goers will get slices for $1. Admission is $3 and all of the profits made from the festival will go to native species preservation. This event is friendly for all ages and there will be something to engage everyone. Support a good cause and have a great time at SAGE Fest!