For the City Times

The staff at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) and hundreds of volunteers are preparing for what is shaping up to be a record-breaking 28th Annual Energy Fair.

Staff is working around the clock to ready the grounds where more than 13,000 fairgoers will gather over the weekend of June 16-18 to take part in what has become the longest running clean energy and sustainable living event in the nation.

The Energy Fair began in 1990, with the goal of bringing folks together to share knowledge about clean energy and sustainable living, to connect with the experts, and to empower each other to create a more sustainable world.

Since then, the Energy Fair has grown in both size and reach, giving the public access to more than 200 exhibits, over 250 workshops, and hosting nationally-recognized speakers, including JB Straubel, co-founder and CTO of TESLA as keynote speaker this year. 

As new technologies emerge, The Energy Fair adapts to provide an up-to-date experience for Fair goers. The most substantial changes can be seen this year with the literal “recharging” of the fair site. The MREA and partners performed an electrical upgrade with a suite of advanced EV charging stations to accommodate the flood of attendees and electric vehicle enthusiasts their robust fair lineup has attracted.

There will be a Tesla rally on Saturday, and a photo taken to document the ‘largest gathering of Tesla cars in the Midwest.’

According to Nick Hylla, the MREA’s executive director, “The future is electric. And we need to power it with local, clean energy.”

Additional electricity will be generated from volunteer cyclists making for a human-powered main stage for speakers and night-time entertainment, including Davina and The Vagabonds, Cory Chisel and Adriel Denae. Keynotes and musical acts will perform throughout the weekend of June 16-18.

As tents start rising, MREA will transform into a small sustainably-driven village with family friendly activities, exhibits, live demonstrations, and workshops about topics ranging from sustainable farm and garden, clean transportation, clean energy, and much more.

The Energy Fair Program Guide has just been release — it’s 116 pages are filled with information and events taking place at the fair.

“I’d love to tell you all about it — but it’s best to just come and experience it for yourself,” said Allison Lindquist, the MREA events director.

Tickets will be available at the front gate during the fair. Free admission for MREA Members, volunteers, children 12 and under, and dad’s on Father’s Day with child(ren).

A limited amount of Energy Fair campsites are available. Free shuttle buses available on June 17 from Madison, Milwaukee and Eau Claire.

Visit TheEnergyFair.org or call 715-592-6595 for more details.