Are you going to The Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair?

[leafylady]

Are you going to The Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair (http://www.the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php) in Custer, Wisconsin on June 20-22? It is put on by the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

Each year thousands of people from around the world celebrate the summer solstice at MREA's Renewable Energy and Sustainable Living Fair. This three-day festival is the world's largest venue to learn about renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable living.

I'm planning on going for at least one day, because we are going to start building a new house.

Travel info and mileage from major cities is listed here (http://www.the-mrea.org/fair_accomodations.php) Well, the distance is listed from the city airports, but you get the idea.

If anyone is going, post here and maybe we can get together for a picnic or restaurant meal.

[Livi's Mama]

I hope we can make it to the fair this year. DD will be 4 months old; will have to see how well she's traveling by then & how the weather is. Would be either on Saturday or Sunday. We live a bit outside your area, but I have relatives in the Winona area, so it's near & dear to my heart. We also hope to move to the area - maybe next year - & eventually build so, like you, I'm anxious to learn things at the fair. I can keep you (and hopefully others?!) posted.

[Cloverlove]

Thanks for the Heads-Up!

We recently moved to WI and will definitely be there!!!

[leafylady]

Oh Good! :) We'll have to figure out a day and time as we get closer. My schedule is flexible.

I will probably make a hotel or campsite reservation for Saturday night, to be on the safe side.

[Cloverlove]

Have you gone before? Do you recommend any hotels or campsites in the area?

How old are your kids? Are they gonna come too? I have a 5 year old ds and 20 month old dd. They are great little campers!

Alternative energy is definitely our *thing*. We have a nice system we bought when the local Real Goods store closed (in Eugene). We got everything at 70% off!!! I keep trying to convince dh to get a job working for an alt energy company. Maybe he can find out some info at the Fair.

Wow, I might actually get to meet some mdc mamas! How exciting!

[leafylady]

I haven't been before, but have wanted to go for a few years now. They always feature it on Wisconsin Public Radio in late May or June.
They have a list of accomodations on this link (http://www.the-mrea.org/fair_accomodations.php) , near the bottom of the webpage.

If we go with a hotel, I'll pick one with a pool for the kiddies. I have a 3 yr old and an almost 1 yr old. The baby will be 1 yr old in early June.

If we choose camping, I'll research the campgrounds a little bit more. I'd rather camp, but haven't convinced dh yet. We have to do a test run with our tent and see if it's big enough for 2 adults and 2 kids. We haven't used it since we had kids :eek

[Livi's Mama]

Wow, Cloverlove, I'm envious of the deal you got on your alternative energy system! Unfortunately, I'm not able to recommend any place to stay, either.

[mnnice]

I am so excited I found this info. My dh will think this is so cool. I live not far away and work even closer. I haven't camped at Hartman, but it is a nice park and most of the shower facilities as WI state parks are pretty good.

[leafylady]

I finally made camping reservations for Friday and Saturday night (20th & 21st) at one of the Portage County Parks. - no showers. I might be stinky.
We'll probably only go to the fair itself on Saturday (arrive Friday evening and leave Sunday morning).
Is anyone else coming for sure? Would you like to meet sometime on Saturday. We haven't signed up for any of the special tours or concerts. We're getting tickets at the door. You never know what is going to happen with 2 little ones in tow.

[mnnice]

I forgot about a previous event planned in LaCrosse so if we go it might be briefly on Friday on the way to LaCrosse

[Cloverlove]

Yes, we will be there! We are staying with friends of friends for a solistice party. I guess they live pretty close to Custer and have a big campout/celebration every year.

I would love to pick a place to meet on Saturday! Let's keep each other posted. :)

Clover