MREA Energy Fair is coming soon -- any one going?

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Gee, the title says most of it . . . For anyone who doesn't know, MREA (Midwest Renewable Energy Association) has an energy fair every year around the Summer Solstice (June 21st). It's held at Amherst, which is just east of Stevens Point (which is around the middle of the state). The web site is http://www.the-mrea.org

We have four Wisconsinlings here for certain. I always go, and Yarrow and John say they do. Going to try to drag Julie there for once. Shall we try to get together somewhere at some time? Do something -- maybe go to whatever concert they have scheduled? I usually stay in Point, as I go to the fair every day, until it's over. So, I am available evenings. I confess, I usually go to every workshop I can squeeze in, and cruise the booths in between.

Jim, you're in Minnesota? Within driving distance? How about anyone else? I know where some of you are and that we won't be seeing you, like Sheepish and Sharon. But the fair usually gets visitors from every state every year and even some from other countries (though I don't know if they come over here for the fair per se)!

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2001

Answers

I checked out the website and it looks really interesting, but I'm saving my pennies and vacation time to go to Frontier Co-op's HerbFest out in Norway, Iowa on August 17-19th. Their website is www.frontiercoop.com. It was a toss-up between HerbFest and Green Nations out in New York in September, but since I'm going to be starting reflexology school the last week of August that made the decision for me.

-- Anonymous, April 29, 2001

Rats! I never remember Herbfest, until it's too late to get organized and go. I was getting all excited because you reminded me, but I just realized my niece is getting married that weekend. So, I'll miss it again. Sheesh!

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001

Hi Joy,

Ah darn, I'd really love to go seeing as I've never been to it before but my budget is pretty much shot to h*ll. And it would be over a 300 mile trip one way and with gas prices expected to go even higher this summer, I'll just have to pass on it this year.

Now that I know all of you guys go each year, though, I'll budget it in for next year. I'd love to get together with as many people from the forum as possible. So, if it sounds good to you, let's make it a date for next years energy fair. OK?

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001


In Wisconsin? Is that on the way to anywhere? LOL. I guess if we ever drive back to Chicago, we could plan a side trip. But I don't really care if we go to Chicago again, and if we do, I doubt that we would drive. Hmm. Maybe go to the Badlands. How far is Wisconsin from there?

Seriously, it would be nice to go to the Energy Fair.

And where I live isn't on the way to anywhere except Alaska or British Columbia (or the "Far East" which isn't so far from this side of the continent....) either...

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001


I go every year, so as far as I'm concerned, we could make it an annual event. Before this forum started, I debated posting something similar on CS. Still haven't decided on that one .. . . .

Sheepish, snicker at us all you like. I'd just as soon people didn't move in here. Too many already! We'll remain quiet and unobtrusive, here in the middle of the country! :-P

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001



<<>>

Hey... I have it made in the shade... I'm a mere 6 miles from the energy fair... and I can personally say it is a wonderful event and a great group of folks run it... (they are in my food coop group or I am in their group ;-} )

each year something more is added .... plenty of things for children to do....

just prepare for any type of weather tho... some times it is colder than blue blazes... hotter than a roasted chicken... and sometimes waders would be a benefit to walk the grounds due to rain...

Amherst is a neat community and I have plenty of alternative neighbors... and the town.. small... has a neat coffee shop downtown...

what can I say... I live here!!!!!!

I would love to go to Herbfest... been a few years since I have been there... and I really enjoyed the time I went... I learned alot..

-- Anonymous, April 30, 2001


I don't think there is ever anything like that in my neck of the woods, 40 miles north of New Orleans. There is a big thing going on right now, The New Orleans Jazz Fest. I went once and it was hot, crowded and way too expensive and that was in 1976. And back then you could bring in your own coolers, and now you can't even bring in a bottle of water.

I would much rather go to the energy fair, maybe next year.

Namaste,

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001


Judy, I don't know how close to you this is, but Fredericksburg, TX is having their 2nd annual fair this September: Link

I also found a site to locate non-profit renewable energy associations by state: Link

Jim, I know that there is an association in Minnesota somewhere, Minneapolis I think, and I think they have a fair. Might be something like Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (or, that might be in Michigan). Iowa has one too, I think. There's usually information at the MREA fair. I'll have to look for it this year and post the info when I find it.

Small brag here, please forgive me: I decided about five years ago that I would always be interested in and support renewable energy, so I should join the MREA as a life-time member. To my amazement, I was the very FIRST to join for their life-time (I guess everyone else was renewing annually)! I get a free ticket to the fair every year. :-)

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001


That show doesn't go on the road,by any chance? Ah well,maybe another year.Sure wish I was closer,(until I consider winters, there). Will mark it on the calender for next year and give it some thought.Thanks for the heads up!

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2001

Joy, thank you so much for the web sites. That energy fair in Texas is a possiblity for me. And on the other site I found a company in east Texas that sells solar with some stuff that is possible for me to purchase. Now if I could just get my husband interested, and the shame of it is that he is a master electrician and has less than zero interest in alternative anything, he is totally mainstream, wasteful and has no imagination, other than that he is a nice guy.

Namaste,

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2001



Oh I hope I can come!! We certainly had intended to drive over in our yellow VW bus ( I know, some people never grow up!) , but our new place closes on June 22st, assuming everything goes ok, and we only have that one weekend to move my partner outa her apt, so doesnt look good. :(

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Isn't that always the way it goes? Be sure to come for 2002 then! Hopefully, we'll all still be posting her and planning to go!

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

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