[3] To accomplish this goal, the festival relies on community members to work together in the planning and operation of the festival serving on committees and work teams including clean-up and recycling, safety and first aid, entertainment, street fair, and the "World Peace Rocks Forever Committee".

The festival was first held in 1972[1] as a showcase for a collection of community organizations including the Columbus Free Press, Free Health Clinic, Food Co-op, Tenants Union, Crisis Hotline, and Recycling Center.

The festival continues to provide a forum for alternative lifestyles and collective activity.

Beer from the Columbus Brewing Company is sold in large, colorful mugs[1] to fund the cost of the festival itself and to raise money for community projects and grants.

The featured organization was Community Refugee & Immigration Services; the honored artist was fiddler and singer Megan Palmer.