Summer Solstice 2026: Celebrating Community, Sustainability, and Sunshine
Each year, Southface Institute hosts a Summer Solstice celebration to mark the longest day of the year and honor the power of the sun. This year’s event brought together old friends, new faces, and the Southface community for an evening filled with good food, fun games, and inspiring conversations.
A Night to Reconnect
On a rain-free summer evening, guests enjoyed BBQ, ice cream, juicy watermelon, and a friendly cornhole competition while watching World Cup matches unfold on the rooftop. It was a chance to relax, laugh, and reconnect after months apart. New executive director Nathan Bessette took the opportunity to thank everyone for their support during his first six months leading Southface.
Bees, Gardens, and Green Spaces
One of the event’s highlights was Reed Walker, on Southface’s BIT Team, talking about the bees living on Southface’s Green Roof. These important pollinators help sustain the rooftop and the green garden that guests enjoyed throughout the evening. Reed shared the results of the “Name the Queen Bee” competition and invited the community to support efforts to keep these vital insects thriving. We are proud to welcome our Queen, Sunny, to our rooftop!
Sharing Our Work and Impact
Our intern Chelsie Thompson created a lively slideshow featuring Southface staff and fun facts, reinforcing the human side of our work. Attendees also learned about our energy and water-saving initiatives and their ripple effects in communities near and far. The event was a reminder that sustainability is both a collective effort and a celebration of progress.
The Summer Solstice event is more than a celebration—it’s a moment to connect, reflect, and recommit to building a sustainable future together.
Interested in sponsoring other Southface events? Check out our keystone event, the Visionary Awards Luncheon, on October 15th.