Music on the Mountaintop

While most appalachian state university students spend their senior year savoring the good times, Jimmy Hunt used his semesters to plan Music on the Mountaintop, which boasts a decidedly green ideology. “I started the festival for partly selfish reasons,” he says of the event, now in its third year. “I don’t want to see this area taken over or exploited by development.” Much of the proceeds go to local organizations that promote environmental conservation and renewable energy. Hunt says the festival will leave a small footprint by recycling, running one of the four stages on solar power, and requiring food vendors to use compostable utensils.

Even the bands (there are more than 30 this year) take an active role in sustainability efforts. The festival also hosts a Green Village, where environmental groups will share their message. “I figure, if we’re bringing thousands of people together,” he says, “let’s at least give them a positive message.”

Old High Country Fairgrounds, Boone; $30-$75; (919) 818-2614;
musiconthemountaintop.com