SolarFest Summit Celebration 2018

This two-day event features live music and arts, nationally recognized speakers, and leading experts, along with practical and wise counsel from local citizens on how to create conditions that will aid us as individuals and as communities.

Come, learn, experience and have fun this summer at New England’s most entertaining source of energy education. If you want to learn how to cut  electrical, heating & cooling, and transportation costs for home and business, and how to help mitigate the effects of climate change, SolarFest can help. It’s a weekend the entire family can enjoy!

FULL DETAILS TO FOLLOW

THANK YOU — We did it!

In 2017 we reached the goal of our first Matching Grant Challenge where a generous long-time supporter provided a $6,000 match to the funds raised from individual donations and our Climate Ride team. Combined with a mission-related grant from EFI, SolarFest is now stronger and better equipped to deliver renewable energy education in 2018.

We would like to recognize the generosity of our friends and benefactors for their commitment to our mission of energy education through the arts.

2017 Contributors

• Rob Anderegg
• Mike Bailey
• Steven Berry
• Barry Biederman
• Catherine Bock
• David Bolevice
• Clay Burnbull
• Climate Ride
• Dave Conna
• James Corven
• Jeffrey Dexter
• Energy Federation, Inc (EFI)
• Greg Hancock
• Lola & Raymond Johnson
• Karen Lee
• Cynthia Legg
• The Maple Ridge Charitable Fund
• Charlene P. Miles
• Vanguard Charitable
• Dan Tappan
• Melvin T. Tyree
• Todd Walker
• Gail West

NEWS & EVENTS

• EARTH DAY WEEKEND
  • Thornton Wilder’s ‘Our Town’ benefit for Theater in the Woods
    Performances at the Federated Church of Castleton, VT at 7:00 PM Saturday, April 21 and at 3:00 PM Sunday, April 22.
    “I think the lesson in this play is to slow down and pay attention to the people that we rely so heavily on and go beyond just swapping howdies.” — Rainbow Squier, cast member of “Our Town”
    Full details at: www.vermonttoday.com/event/our-town-a-workshop-production/2018-04-21/ 
  • ClimateAct – A Participatory Play Reading
    Hosted by 350Vermont and In Tandem Arts on Saturday, April 21st from 1 to 5 PM, followed by a potluck at 77 Gallery, 77 Grove Street, Rutland.
    Viewers will gain perspective on issues related to climate change through exposure to cultural vantage points from around the globe.
    Tickets and details at: www.eventbrite.com/e/climateact-a-participatory-play-reading-tickets-44847555245?aff=efbeventtix
  • “Turn the World Around” Earth Day Celebration
    Presented by the Northshire environmental justice group, Earth Matters on Sunday April 22 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM at the gazebo in Factory Point Park in Manchester.
    The event is free and all are welcome. The line-up of performers will include professional musicians, environmental speakers, and others. Songs, poems and recitations about nature and Mother Earth will be performed. Bring lawn chairs to sit on and you are encouraged to bring drums and other percussion.  Suggestions for well-known sing-a-longs are welcome.  Learn the latest news on renewable energy, zero waste, green alternatives, sustainability, and what you can do on an individual basis to mitigate climate change.
    For further information, go to MoveOn Manchester Facebook events page: www.facebook.com/events/358256664667318/

• Hope Solar Farm – Brunswick, NY
  Boardmember Kevin Bailey is launching a Community Solar Farm open to all residents of 13 counties in eastern New York State. Complete information at: http://hopesolarfarm.com/
• Delivering Energy Kits to Puerto Rico and Beyond
  When residents of Caguas, Puerto Rico found that power wouldn’t be restored to their city for nine months, SolarFest Boardmember Bill Laberge took action. Starting with a prototype kit in carry-on luggage, and training local cooperativas to install systems, Interviewed in the Manchester Journal, Laberge said, “This is being done on the grassroots level. We want to train people in Puerto Rico, or Danby, or wherever they are that they can actually do this. What we want to do is help them help themselves.”