Coachella 2008...
Rogue Flying Pigs, Wild Train Rides, Prince's Crazy Tour Rider, and more. It's time to highlight our initiatives, release the photo galleries, say thank you to everyone involved, and provide a guided tour of yet another classic year at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival.

Coachella Express: The best train ride ever

If you were one of lucky ones who rode the sold out Coachella Express… Thank you for keeping your car in the garage, your money out of Chevron's pockets and yourself in the festival history books. Coachella, Global Inheritance and Amtrak worked over a year and half to pull this project together, thus making Coachella the first festival with its very own exclusive train (and train station). All Coachella campers could ride the train free of cost.

Coachella Express riders enjoyed an exclusive performance from Junkie XL, VIP wristbands, ice cream cookies, and a stress-free roundtrip ride to the biggest and baddest festival in the United States. If you're interested in scoring a limited Coachella Express t-shirt, send us an e-mail at coachellaexpress@globalinheritance.org. All proceeds benefit Global Inheritance. View the Coachella Express Flickr photos set here.

The Energy FACTory

The Energy FACTory of 2008 offered the latest and greatest in renewable energy sources. Under the shade of a 45 ft. tall wind-powered clock tower built using recycled metal and bamboo, festivalgoers experienced a variety of interactive exhibits, including bike-charging misters and cell phones, live screen printing on organic t-shirts, solar-powered mannequins, biodiesel workshops, a solar powered DJ soundsystem, and more.

Tour De Coachella ::
A firsthand display of human energy generated by riding in the Tour De Coachella. A variety of different types of cell phone chargers were available, along with twelve specially-designed bikes that were used to power cell phones. People could also cool off under the hot sun by riding bikes that generated energy to power fans.
Vegetable Oil-to-Biodiesel Fuel Conversion ::
Showcased just what is possible when you work with festival vendors and turn excess vegetable oil into fuel. This energy was integrated into the clock tower to power the clock turntable.
Apollo's Posse ::
Seven mannequins each designed to represent a different era of music, artist or genre. Every Mannequin had its own personal stereo system powered by solar shoulder bags that included iPod minis with their own play lists. On a larger level, the solar DJ sound system played through the day and into the night as festival goers partied with Apollo and the ultra violet rays.
Eco-Friendly T-shirt & Poster Screen Printing ::
T-shirt junkies could pick through a variety of original designs all printed on organic t-shirts, featuring everything from organic cotton to bamboo. People could also add prints to their existing shirt to recycle their current look. View more photos from the Energy FACTory Flickr set here.

Tour Rider: Carpoolchella

Now into year two, all festivalgoers were encouraged to ride four or more in the car to save time, save money, and put fewer cars on the road. If you missed out on Coachella Express, then this was the next best thing. People driving full vehicles with a Carpoolchella sign in their window were randomly selected to win lots of cool prizes. Unlike last year, new winners were selected every hour on the hour, and prizes ranged from autographed gear to VIP passes and Coachella tickets for life. More Carpoolchella photos on Flickr here.

TRASHed :: Recycling Store

If you could count and were motivated, the 10-for-1 bottle exchange was for you. Festivalgoers received one free bottle of water by recycling ten water bottles at select TRASHed :: Recycling Stores at Coachella. This year saw the addition of an exchange center in the onsite camping grounds, which helped keep many campers happy and hydrated - all on a very low budget… just in time for the recession! View the TRASHed :: Recycling Store Flickr photo set here.

TRASHed :: Art of Recycling

The 2008 edition of Coachella marks the 5th anniversary of the TRASHed :: Art of Recycling exhibit. Hosting over 35 high-profile artists, TRASHed recycling bins dotted the festival grounds as an interactive art walk and recycling pit stop. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped keep the venue clean.
 
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL THE AWESOME PEOPLE AT COACHELLA AND THE INDIVIDUALS WHO MADE THESE PROGRAMS COME TO LIFE!

Kelly Jones, Whitney Zimmerman, Dan Fuller, Mark Farina, Michael White, Brad Whaley, Jeremiah Garcia, Matt Brady, Bobby Holland, Ben Brough, Augustin Kofi, Nate Frizzell, Douglas Alvarez, Steven Lopez, Freddi C, Pinky Pop, Ross Pope, Mike Bonanno, Matty G, Edith MonDragon, Rebecca Urlas, Jawn Agione, Kristina Davila, Jose Cerda, Mike Zepeda, Jason Carrougher, Zac Egge, Nicole de Leon, Jacqueline Pablo, Kristi Villegas, Amer Sabian, Allison Cummings, Amy Cummings, Jessica Lin, Alex Busch, Ryan Carney, Ashley Gerace, Chris McMillan, Mike Donaghey, Callie Ryerson, Jessica Ruvalcaba, Bryan Curiel, Daniel Hay, Chrissy Spehar, Roseann Lazer, Tess Eyrich, Liz Kopp, Drew Denny, Christian Grigoraskos, Frank Caridi, Kalib, Allen, Jane, Lex Moloney, Bill Fold, Dani Lindstom, Darren Carroll, Joseph Yannuzzi and everyone from Amtrak, Lisa Brownlee, Keri Lee, Buck, Leo Nitzberg, Amanda Moore, Chris Gee, Tranx, Larry McGee and SOS Global Trucking Co., Henry Eshelman, Junkie XL, Monster Media, Eddy Sato, Patty Newton, Dave Bresenham, and everyone from Discovery.

Thank you!
GI