“I want Dandelion Day to feel really interactive, like you come to cocreate the day,” pronounced event coordinator Kat Hardy. In line with the ethos of sustainability and collaboration, and thanks to a local screen printing company, this year’s commemorative t-shirts will be printed on-site in Sopris Park.
The seed for this innovation was planted last year, the 25th anniversary, when Elise Hillbrand’s design was so damn popular that all t-shirts sold out in under two hours. Hardy jumped to action, asking volunteers to take down names and numbers for people wishing to order one. Another 150 shirts were then printed by Inkswell Screen Printers in Glenwood Springs and Hardy hand delivered and shipped the items, personally taking care of each invoice. As she packaged and sorted the shirts, she had ample time to reflect.
“We didn’t want to have waste,” she said. “It turned into this whole thing that I was like, we need to rethink shirts next year.” Given that Mountain Fair already has a design contest around the same time every year, the Dandelion Day planning committee, which includes the Town of Carbondale’s Environmental Board, opted to commission Hillbrand to craft a standing logo to be screen printed live in the park. “There was a lot of discussion,” Hardy admitted. “People love their t-shirts in this valley.”
The timing dovetailed with a dream of Inkswell’s come true. “It was part of the vision from the very beginning,” said founder and owner Rachel Fulfer. With a new mobile press, her team can share the joys of screen printing almost anywhere, and Dandelion Day will be the grand experiment to begin this next phase of the business.
People will pay a fee to print, but Inkswell as an event sponsor is donating their time and resources. Fulfer informed The Sun that they will also have dandelion-themed embroidered hats and other items for sale. Their goal is to donate all proceeds back to Dandelion Day.
If you wish to bring a shirt to print on, Fulfer stated it must be at least 50% natural fiber (cotton, hemp, bamboo or even silk) and able to withstand a heat press to cure the ink. Used clothing should be washed prior to printing, and a light-colored fabric is recommended to show the deep sienna ink that will be used. Items must be able to lay flat, so bulky pockets or buttons may be problematic. If in doubt, bring a back-up item, but rest assured, Inkswell will have some quality options for purchase as well.
One perk, Hardy mentioned, is that printing shirts in youth sizes will be easier, though they must fit a design that is 13 inches tall.
“Making children smile, that’s what we’re here for,” Fulfer said. “If I can make one person love screen printing, mission accomplished.”
“I have a kid,” Hardy stated. “I’m really invested in leaving the world better for him than I found it.”
Fulfer, also a mother, has always placed importance on responsible, green practices for her business. They use biodegradable inks and soy-based cleaners and carry carbon off-set, organic-cotton items to print on. “From the beginning, I set out to do things differently,” Fulfer said. “I’ve seen the ugly side [of printing] and wanted to allow for more responsible options in the Valley.”
Speaking of mothers, with more than 70 different vendors, Dandelion Day is the perfect place to find a mother’s day gift which also honors la pachamama. There will be live music (starring Twisted Traditions, Mountain People and Sweet Jessup and the Dirty Buckets), a massive seed swap, the return of the education tent and the famous Parade of Species departing from 2nd and Main at 10am.
In a nutshell
What: Dandelion Day
When: May 11, 10am to 5pm
Where: Sopris Park
Why: For the love of Earth