After two pandemic-induced years off, the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) is proud to announce The Energy Fair will be returning to the rolling hills of Custer, WI June 24th-26th, 2022. Building on 31 years of tradition, this year’s Fair will once again bring over 11,500 fairgoers together from across the Midwest to celebrate clean energy and sustainable living through education and demonstration.
Known as the nation’s longest-running event of its kind, the 2022 Fair will bring back hallmark attractions attendees have come to know and love, including live music, inspiring keynotes, camping, local food and beer, kids’ activities, and hundreds of educational workshops. In addition, this year’s event will take on an increased focus on social and environmental justice through its theme, “Powering the Just Energy Transition.”
Structured to spark dialogue and action around making our shared clean energy system more sustainable and just for all, The 31st Annual Energy Fair will bring activists, industry leaders, native voices, students, and community members together from across geography and generations to create a hub for the conversations, strategy, mindfulness, and optimism we’ll need to power the Just Energy Transition.
Throughout the weekend, fairgoers will have the opportunity to attend hundreds of sustainability-focused workshops spanning topics of energy efficiency, conservation, community involvement, solar energy, professional development, clean transportation, sustainable farm and gardens, and so much more. In addition, the weekend’s electric lineup will include:
- Hundreds of industry and artisan exhibitors
- Family-friendly entertainment and activities
- Free E-Recycling
- Live music from Armchair Boogie, Nur-D, GGOOLLDD, and others
The Fair will also feature keynote speeches from:
- Shimekia Nichols – Executive Director of Soulardarity
- Sean Sherman – Founder & CEO of The Sioux Chef, Co-founder of NĀTIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems), and Co-owner of Owamni by The Sioux Chef
- Kyle Whyte – George Willis Pack Professor of Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan and member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
- John Farrell – Co-Director for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and Director of the Energy Democracy Initiative
- Robert Blake – Executive Director of Native Sun Community Power Development and owner of Solar Bear
New to the Fair in 2022 is the inclusion of a Clean Energy Career Fair. Free for all fairgoers, the Career Fair will highlight training programs, workforce development opportunities, and technical colleges to help aspiring professionals launch a career in the clean energy field. During the Career Fair, MREA will celebrate the launch of its Midwest Solar Job Resource Center (SolarEnergy.Jobs) and give attendees a chance to network with organizations that are training students and/or currently hiring in the Midwest.
To learn more, purchase tickets, and view the full schedule of events, please visit TheEnergyFair.org or call 715-592-6595. Admission to the Fair is free for MREA Members, volunteers, and children 12 and under, and busses will be provided to shuttle fairgoers to and from Madison, Milwaukee, Portage, and Stevens Point at no cost on Saturday, June 25th.
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We would like to recognize the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin for generously supporting
our work to Power the Just Energy Transition. Thanks to the foundation, we have been able to expand
our shuttle services and are working to provide additional modes of clean transportation for attendees
at the Fair. In addition to transportation, we are working with Recycling Connections to certify The 2022
Energy Fair as a Near Zero Waste Event!
We are so grateful to the Community Foundation and are thrilled that our work aligns with their mission
to give Portage County residents a better, sustainable place to grow, work, play, and retire.