Flashworks Photobooth had the fun task of entertaining students and other passers-by at the kick-off of Sustainability Awareness Week.

October 29th to November 2nd marked Sustainability Awareness Week and we were privileged enough to be asked to participate in the kick-off festivities. It was our first event in the snow (in a pop-up tent outside in the middle of quad to be accurate) but thankfully, the weather cooperated and it was only a few degrees below freezing. Yet, these subzero temperatures did little to deter the students who formed a long line patiently awaiting their choice of either BBQ sausage or veggie burger, donated by Aramark. The students were also able to help themselves to some tasty mini-cupcakes and larger slices of cake. All of the food provided was sourced from locally operate business.

In addition to the tasty treats, Music is a Weapon provided the music, entertainment and power. Their vocal talents reprised popular hits and their improvised lyrical prose and beat-boxing was fun to watch. However, even more fun to watch was the set up they had powering their sound systems (and our photobooth). Under a bright green inflatable canopy, people pedaling 4 old-school riding bikes charged the batteries and powered the inverter that made the electrical magic happen. As the event progressed students waiting in line and passers-by were called out to come help “people power” the event and take a turn pedaling.

The students also has a lot of fun goofing around the photobooth! Organizers supplied us with a massive vintage chest full of previously used items from Goodwill. There were glasses and wigs, flowers and hats, shirts and dress,  and even a wedding dress! We’re not sure if is was the people in the booth or us watching the male patrons squeeze into tight cocktail dresses who had more fun in our tent.

As for the rest of the week, another 47 events, tours and panels were planned dealing with a wide range of green and sustainable topics across the three University of Alberta campuses.

A great big thank-you to the Office of Sustainability at the University of Alberta for asking us to help kick-off their week of awareness. You can see all the fun had in the booth on their Flickr page.