The Fair Opening Dinner Banquet will offer a delicious meal featuring locally grown produce and locally baked artisan breads.  A vegetarian option will be available for the entrée.  Following dinner, a keynote address will be presented by Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell.  The night will conclude with toe-tapping dance music courtesy of the Same Ole’ 2 Step zydeco band.

Banquet only tickets are $15.00 each.
Banquet and Music tickets are $20.00 each.

We are pleased to announce that several Northwestern Michigan residents with renewable energy and energy efficiency equipment and design have offered to open their homes to Michigan Energy Fair guests.  Each tour will visit three sites featuring technologies such as solar energy and wind installations, straw bale construction and more. 

Please register now to enjoy the approximately 2 1/2 hour tour of homes.  Tours will depart from the Michigan Energy Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.   The tour schedule is as follows:

Saturday,  June 17th at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 17th at 2:30 p.m.
Sunday,  June 18th at 10:30 a.m.

Cost: $5 per participant.  Click here to register. Space is limited, so please register early.

For a completely unique renewable energy tour experience, be sure to partake in the  BATA Hybrid Electric Bus and Thunder Bay Huron Explorer tour. 

Anchored at Onekama Marine, the Huron Explorer is a 41’ research vessel that has been transformed to use bio-fuels and bio-based lubricants. In fact, no petroleum based products are used in the ship’s operation. Enjoy a special tour of the first vessel in the United States to operate in this manner.

Participants will be transported from the Michigan Energy Fair to the ship via the Bay Area Transportation Authority’s Hybrid–Electric Bus.  The 27-foot low-emission vehicle is equipped  with 56 lead acid batteries and runs on biodiesel when in hybrid mode. 

The tour is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.  The bus will leave the fairgrounds and transport  participants to Onekama Marine.  After the 1/2 hour tour, the bus will return you to the fairgrounds.  Please meet the BATA Hybrid Electric bus at the main parking entrance for tours. 

The bus will depart the fairgrounds for the tour at the following times:

Saturday, June 17th

10:00 a.m.     11:00 a.m.    12:00 p.m.  
2:00 p.m.       3:00 p.m.      4:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 18th

10:00 a.m.     11:00 a.m.     12:00 p.m.

Be sure to line up early for this free tour!  

From the Conscientious Cruiser, a bus converted to run on biodiesel, to the ultra fuel efficient Toyota Prius hybrid, enjoy this opportunity to view a wide variety of vehicles that run on alternative fuel sources. Vehicles will be parked and available for viewing next to the Grandstand area on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday is a special day for kids at the Michigan Energy Fair.  Connie Josvai’s class from Manistee’s Kennedy Elementary School will be on hand to offer their popular Energy Carnival.  From 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., children will learn about a variety of renewable energy sources, as they complete energy-themed carnival games to win a prize!   Energy and nature come alive for children as they participate in hands-on crafts and demonstrations.  Be sure to bring your kids for a fun and educational day at the Fair on Saturday!

A pancake breakfast will be offered on Sunday morning.  For a small fee, enjoy tasty breakfast fare, coffee and juice.  Tickets will be available at the door.  Please visit www.glrea.org for more information.