Treefest 2006

Trees are great and beautiful, and this is exactly what Edinburgh's Treefest is about celebrating. Two days of fun in the name of trees on June 10 and 11 in Inverleith Park celebrate the importance of wood, how it affects our daily lives and all activities centred around trees.

Treefest, the brainchild of Four Winds Inspiration, is going from strength to strength, and is expected to draw over 10,000 visitors over the two day festival this year. With global warming already over our doorstep and sitting in our lounge, it is obvious that we all need to start thinking about the world around us, and how to look after it. This is what Treefest aims to do, through bringing awareness to all people in an educational and informal public event; to raise awareness in individuals about how they can help to make the future bright and green for all of us.

Four Winds was established in 1998 and has been running the Treefest festival since 2002. This grass-roots organisation aims to educate about sustainable ways of living. They run courses year round in renewable energy - with wind turbine and solar panel construction - and a large choice of craft workshops including basket weaving, wood and stone carving, silk printing and paper making. One of their biggest projects is the re-use of felled Elm trees to create sculptures, benches, and all manner of carved furniture.

There is going to be loads for all the family to do over the Saturday and Sunday. If you're looking for an adrenalin rush, you can take your board along and make the most of the skate ramps provided by Rusty Ramps, plus there will also be an extreme mountain bike display. If you're not the sporty type, live bands and DJs will entertain, along with craft demonstrations, wood displays and interactive games. If that's not enough you could always watch the Scottish Axe Throwing Championships (Saturday) or tree climbing demonstrations on (Sunday).

To mark the beginning of the festival, there will be a Carnival of Trees Procession parading through Stockbridge, leaving from Inverleith at noon on Saturday. TreeFest is completely free, but is guaranteed to be much more than a walk in the park. For more information check out www.edinburghtreefest.org.uk