ONEKAMA ? Despite a brilliant Michigan day, the crowds during the first day of the 4th annual Michigan Energy Fair were smaller than a year ago for more than 100 exhibitors who showed off the latest technology in wind and solar power, plus a host of energy efficient building materials and heating plants.
Both Energy Fair Cofounder Alan O’Shea, a Manistee County Commissioner and owner of Contractors Building Supply, and Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association Executive Director Jennifer Alverado predicted bigger crowds on Saturday and Sunday, just like in 2008.
A year ago, about 5000 visitors stopped at the Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekama, near the Lake Michigan shoreline, to see about 120 alternative energy vendors. But last year, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm delivered the Friday keynote, which helped increase the visitor headcount. Granholm?s remarks were announced weeks before the event.
This year, the Friday keynote was delivered by Michigan Lt. Governor John Cherry, whose participation was announced only a short time before the Energy Fair’s start Friday, which may have helped keep the crowd down, Alverado said. The depressed Michigan economy also could have been a factor, she said.
The Michigan Energy Fair is the largest event in Michigan that is specifically related to energy education of residents and business owners and providing over 100 renewable energy and energy efficiency vendors.
?Our goal is to offer Michigan residents educational information on how to
build or improve the efficiency of your home and business through our workshops. Then, you can walk right over to the companies that sell the products. This is not only an educational event but a place to engage the consumer with the companies in the sustainable energy field,? Alvarado said.
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