Is this the same Fair that used to take place in Amherst,WI and took place in Madison WI for a year or two? I see that is it advertised on Page 92 in the latest issue. If it is back at Amherst, great! I just could not abide the thought of a big city like Madison! Amherst is by far big enough for me!

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), February 22, 2001

Answers

Ardie: Yep, its the same one. Midwest Renewable Energy Association or MREA. The main reason it was held last year in Mad town is because the Solar Energy Society or something like that was having its annual convention there.

Who's going to the MREA fair this year???

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), February 22, 2001.

We'll be there--red and white 1975 VW bus, camping on the grounds. We wouldn't miss it. Even last year in Madison was lots of fun. Well, the show itself wasn't so great in the exhibition hall, but we had a good time talking to folks there and outside, went downtown to the farmer's market on the Square on Saturday morning before the Energy Fair opened, etc.

Jim

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), February 22, 2001.

You can sure the Countryside staff will be attending the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair! (It's at the fairgrounds in Amherst, WI on June 22-24).

Anne-marie, Ellen, Calvin, Marianna and I will take turns tending the Countryside booth, checking out the interesting and informative workshops, vendors, and people in attendance, while soaking up some of that great June sunshine. If you are even just a little bit interested in sustainable living, homesteading, and/or alternative energy, mark your calendar now and make plans to attend.

And be sure to stop by the Countryside booth and say hi!

-- Dave Belanger (Dave@countrysidemag.com), February 22, 2001.

I'll be there, unless something bad happens! I really enjoy it. Madison is much closer for me, but I still like it outdoors better. Except of course the years when it pours rain or is 96 degrees (that's NOT an exaggeration -- 1996 to be exact!). :-{ Ironically, the weather in 2000, when it was indoors, the weather was PERFECT -- not too hot, not too cool, and no rain!

Perhaps we can decide on a place to meet up!

-- Joy F (So.Central Wisconsin) (CatFlunky@excite.com), February 22, 2001.

Anyone who doesn't know about this, here is the URL:

MREA

-- Joy F (So.Central Wisconsin) (CatFlunky@excite.com), February 22, 2001.

Joy mentioned the years when it poured rain or was 96 degrees--I think that covers them all, except for 2000!

It has always been fun, even in the rain, cold, or heat.

Jim

-- Jim (jiminwis@yahoo.com), February 22, 2001.

I for one will be at the Energy fair... I have it made... it is about 6 miles from my house....every year I have relatives that come up from Kansas and Ohio to go to it and then party all night!!!

I personally know the folks that put this farm on... and they are planning a whopper!!!!

-- Mary Amm (peanut@wi-net.com), February 23, 2001.

We've been wanting to go MREA Fair for several years, but Life got in the way-- mostly kids camps and weddings in the family. Pending when Scout camp is scheduled, we are planning to head north to Cheeseland around solstice time.

Now that the Fair is back at Amherst, I'm soliciting opinions on camping options -- we wil be tent camping with a car and 10 and 12 year old kids. Camp at the fairgrounds or the state park or other recommendations for our situation ? Kids are used to camping and I can wrangle a camp stove, so normal camping is no big deal.

TIA

Sara in IN

-- urth (urthmomma@aol.com), February 27, 2001.