By Stacee Sledge
The 15th annual Lacey Alternative Energy Fair is May 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Huntamer Park in Woodland Square.
The free event started in 1998, when then-mayor Graeme Sackrison hatched the idea to have an Electrathon car race to help expose Lacey to electric cars and other new types of vehicles that were becoming available.
“It later evolved into the Alternative Fuel Fair, which added booths and information about alternative fuel, like biodiesel,” says Jeannette Sieler, Recreation Supervisor for Lacey Parks and Recreation.
In 2008, it expanded even further to be the Alternative Energy Fair, and included things like wind power and solar – technologies used in homes and businesses. “They added even more conservation ideas,” says Sieler, “to really make it a fully rounded experience for people to come out and learn more about the future of energy.”
The latest in alternative forms of transportation will be on display Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Booths are also set up around the park that offer information and displays on different types of energy alternatives, such as solar, wind, and high efficiency construction techniques and appliances.
Arguably the day’s most popular event is the electric car races.
“Race probably isn’t the best word for it,” Sieler says with a laugh. “It’s an endurance competition. The cars are trying to complete as many laps as they can in one hour.”
Two races are held during the day, at 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Another popular event at the Alternative Energy Fair is the Lacey MPG Challenge, an informal competition that encourages drivers to strive for better than EPA mileage in their current cars. The first 10 drivers receive $10 gas cards.
“The goal of the MPG Challenge is to get better EPA than the sticker on a new car outlines,” says Sieler. “With the price of gas, it’ll be a great chance for folks to get educated on how they can get better mileage out of their car.”
The fair will also offer a presentation called “The Electric Vehicle: Past, Present, and Future” from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Ian Dobson, who has a passion for recycling, will play steel drum music from 11:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. He’ll then lead a fun recycle workshop called Recycalypso from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., which will encourage kids to make their own instruments out of recycled items. The kids will perform with their creations at the end of the fair.
“Hopefully it’ll be a nice sunny day,” says Sieler, “and a great time to enjoy being at the park.”
Event sponsors include Lacey Parks and Recreation, 94.5 ROXY, ACME Fuel, Air National Guard, Bike Tech, Cut Rate Auto Parts, Hanson Motors, Lacey Collision, Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency, Puget Sound Energy, and River Ridge High School EV Club.
For more information, please contact Lacey Parks and Recreation at 360.491.0857.
Lacey Alternative Energy Fair
Saturday, May 5, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Huntamer Park in Woodland Square
Thanks to the Lacey Parks and Rec staff for providing photos.
