Survival Faire was an event that took place from February 16-20, 1970 at San Jose State College with the purpose of raising awareness of ecological concerns among the college community and to encourage individuals to protect the environment. In 1969, the project was proposed and sponsored by Dr. John Sperling’s contemporary issues class titled Humanities 160. With financial support from Associated Students and private donations, less than 50 students successfully organized the week-long event.

Attendees were able to engage in panels, workshops, exhibits created by campus and national organizations, and live performances without an admission charge. The panels were dedicated to discussing ecological problems, with guest speakers such as scientists, educators, politicians, and students. Multiple contests were held throughout the week with cash prizes offered to the winners. Survival Faire organizers sponsored a film festival and contests in areas like photographic essays, graphics, poetry, and creative reuse of waste. Moreover, the Academic Council encouraged faculty members to try relating their courses to human ecology during the week.

Survival Faire concluded with its most notable event: an hours-long “wake” to celebrate the burial of a brand new 1970 Ford Maverick purchased with fundraiser money. The car burial would serve to symbolize the need for smog-free transportation. Some students opposed the burial, prompting Survival Faire organizers to hold a meeting to determine whether or not to continue with the burial. Those in opposition to the burial argued that the funds used to purchase the car could have been allocated to environmental organizations or lobbying efforts for environmental protections. Despite the creation of a petition to stop the car burial, Survival Faire organizers decided to move forward with the burial plans.

Around 5,000 individuals gathered on February 20, 1970 to witness the car burial. The event experienced resistance as protesters picketed around the car and threatened to block the movement of the planned parade. Following the parade, arguments occurred between those for and against the car burial. Eventually, a vote was held, and the majority of the crowd expressed their support for the burial. A few individuals delivered speeches prior to the car being rolled in a deep trench on campus and covered with dirt. Grass, flowers, and trees were eventually planted atop the car’s grave.

In October 1970, Survival Faire organizers shifted their message to endorse the idea of unearthing the Ford Maverick. A spokesperson acknowledged their failure to offer a practical solution to the pollution caused by the internal combustion engine. With an election happening in November, students enrolled in Dr. John Sperling’s Humanities 160 class devised a plan to excavate the car in support of a ballot measure aimed at financing the construction of a rapid transit system in Santa Clara County. The plans outlined that the excavated car would be compressed into a solid block and transported to the Santa Clara County Administration Office. There, a ceremony would be held to celebrate the car-turned-block becoming the cornerstone for the first rapid transit terminal in the county.

The car was successfully unearthed on the morning of October 29, 1970, following a two-hour excavation. Unfortunately, the ballot measure for the rapid transit system failed to garner sufficient votes, resulting in the car-turned-block being taken to a transportation yard. The current location of the Survival Faire car is unknown.

Survival Faire led to the establishment of the first environmental studies program in the nation by San José State University.