It will be bright and sunny this Saturday in Boyle Heights, regardless the weather forecast. That’s because the neighborhood will host Eastside Sol, the community’s first ever 100% solar-powered festival.
Put together by a coalition of Eastside community, labor and non-profit groups, the free and open event slated for Aug. 1 from 2-5 p.m. at Mariachi Plaza will highlight the need for solar power for area Latino residents.
The festival will feature a solar-powered DJ stage featuring music by Buyepongo. Self-Help Graphics will offer screen-printing demonstrations and will engage participants in the creation of two mobile murals.
There will be a demonstration of a solar-powered food truck prototype, as well as a fruit tree giveaway, free food and aguas frescas, face painting and information booths from local environmental justice and clean energy organizations. Food trucks will also have food for sale.
A mobile solar trailer provided by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), one of the event’s sponsors, will power the entire event.
The festival is put together by the Repower LA Coalition, a grouping of over 40 community organizations, environmentalists, unions, small businesses and faith-based leaders proposing solutions to make the LADWP a greener utility.
The event was created to engage the Latino community about solutions to increase solar power in their community and ways to participate in the growing clean energy economy.
Recent research by the Repower LA Coalition showed major disparities in solar investment the City of Los Angeles, with the Eastside of Los Angeles lagging behind the rest of the city.
More information at www.EastSideSol.org
