We have been discussing how to minimize our environmental impact with the choices we make around sustainability in this column.
Did you know you can maximize sustainability by minimizing?
This weekend, March 11-12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., TinyFest California is coming to the Del Mar Fairgrounds to show you how.
With a mission statement to empower people to maximize their lives while minimizing their impact on the environment, this show promises to live up to that calling.
Tiny-home builders, van conversion specialists, homeowners who have “gone tiny,” expert speakers, presentations, vendors specializing in all things sustainable, kid-friendly entertainment, and lots of food and fun will converge on the fairgrounds to deliver information on sustainable homes, alternative living and how to achieve financial freedom.
“There is a social culture behind the tiny movement, and it’s a great community,” says Renee Seevers, CEO of Tiny Fest. The Iowa native converted a school bus in 2017 after her youngest went to college and has been on the road since sharing the joys of tiny living with others.
Many people dream of packing up the bus and driving into the unknown – these folks are living that dream and want to share with you the joys of tiny living. The tiny living movement commits to minimalism and springs roots from living in America before suburbia began its sprawl.
Innovative builders such as Azure Printed Homes will have their tiny homes on display along with a creative, interactive school program called the Student Career Connection Symposium.
This educational trade program has been offered to the Carlsbad Unified and Oceanside Unified school districts, Urban Corps of San Diego County, Millennial Tech Middle School and Learning Choice Academy, which will auction off the tiny home it’s been building the last two years.
“This has been such a great success in the school districts, with students blossoming while learning about building, engineering, development and designing,” Seevers says.
More and more people are discovering that extra rooms and extra stuff do not add value or happiness. The financial freedom component comes with the freedom from stress that comes with less stuff.
“I love to show people through our demonstrations and panel discussions that there are living options with a smaller footprint, using sustainably focused building materials and solar to add to energy savings, all while reducing carbon footprint,” Seevers adds.
Another educational program offered this weekend is produced by Sandy Blair, a female veteran tackling homelessness among women leaving the armed services. Blair runs Women Empowered Build Strong (www.operationwebs.org). She and her team build tiny homes on wheels (THOW) as a sustainable solution for displaced and homeless women veterans struggling to transition back to civilian life after their military service.
Bringing together policymakers, educators, vendors and innovators from this exciting and growing industry promises to be a motivating and exciting event for the whole family. It should not be missed if you are even considering putting an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on your property or dreaming of converting that van or traveling in your RV.
Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to explore tiny houses, van conversions, skoolies (school bus conversions), backyard cottages, shipping container homes, adventure rigs and more. Meet the builders and people living and traveling tiny every day.
At the Simple Living Marketplace, a variety of vendors will guide you on how to minimize your clutter, debt and carbon footprint while offering in-depth information on various topics. Hear inspiring stories throughout the weekend from speaker presentations, Q&A sessions and panel discussions.
TinyFest California is bringing together like-minded people with souls on fire who value the ideals behind building small and living large.
Parking at the fairgrounds is $15, and entry tickets range from $20 to $87 for a VIP weekend pass. Visit www.tinyfest.events to learn more, get tickets and join a movement that is sweeping the country.
