In the movie Field of Dreams, Kevin Costner kept hearing, "If you build it, ... he will come." The same was true for the Second Annual Michigan Energy Fair, held in Onekama Township just north of Manistee Michigan. Several energy efficient homes, in various stages of construction, were made available to the public. And, just like in the movie, a line of cars snaked into Manistee County. They gladly plunked down ten dollars or more, not to remember a simpler time, but to view the future. 
Thanks to the efforts of Mary Bigalow, I made the pilgrimage to Onekama last weekend to the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) second Michigan Energy Fair. Vendors from around the Great Lakes area were there to show off new construction methods, energy saving and creating devices, and hybrid automotive technology.
"Second Annual" kept going through my head as I drove towards Michigan's Shoreline North area. As I crossed the Muskegon River, the White River, The Pentwater River, Pere Marquette River and finally the Manistee River, I kept hearing those damn fish in the Molson commercial. "Gary, we're biting, we've been up for hours." "What do you mean you're working?"
I wasn't able to find hotel lodging in Onekama, or Orchard Beach State Park north of Manistee. I've stayed in Manistee before, but thought that would be too tempting having the ability to fish from my hotel rooms board walk. When I was able to find a cancellation at Ludington State Park, I jumped at the chance. My wife even decided to make a weekend journey.
Saturday morning, I patiently waited for the deer to move from the park road then slowly inched through Ludington and the Gus Macker crowd. Sterns Lakefront park was closed for the weekend tournament usually held in July! I drove the 40 miles to Manistee, still thinking about the fishing I was missing. Breakfast was excellent at the House of Flavors Manistee location (the Ludington one was packed).
Along the road, were several Energy Fair signs, green like the grass. Arriving at the Fair, I was surprised to have to park about 300 yards from the entrance. Yes, there were about 500 people plus vendors there at 9:00 am. Volunteers from area groups were manned the gate quickly found my pre-registration, which of course I forgot to bring. And I was off into the crowd.
Not surprisingly, everyone was talking energy. The fair grounds had numerous recycling bins clearly labeled. Portable
pump hand wash stations were centrally located near the food vendors. The grounds were meticulous, even no trash in the restroom. Saturday was childrens day and the Carnival Tent was full of energy game participants.
I met several very interesting people, including Active Rain members Buzz Holtvluwer a very energetic builder from Standale Lumber and Interiors in Grand Rapids, Adam whose ultra-energy efficient home was the highlight and Active Rainer Mary Bigalow from First Union Mortgage, and John, Adam Bearup's right hand man.
Sam Pobst of Eco Metrics LLC Information about LEED and the U.S. Green Building Council USGBC was so interesting I stayed for most of his two presentations. Sam I'm sorry I missed the first part of your presentation; I was busy speaking with Dr. Michael Doyle from Bay Mills Community College. which also
Energy Fair Early Morning Crowd
sponsors several Charter Schools in Michigan, about his Flax seed oil press. The equipment was available for viewing including some representative samples of processed Canola Oil and Glycol.
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association booth contained lots of information on renewable energy, energy 
efficiency, and sustainable energy. The MREA sponsors the nations longest running Energy Fair (17 years) with 19,570 attendees this year.
On Sunday I drove the Hybrid home tour route and viewed four of the Hybrid homes. I was impressed with all four homes: the Cunningham and Five Springs homes in Bear Lake, the Pasco Home in Manistee, and the Herkelrath home in Onekama. Unfortunately, there was a problem with my camera and numerous photos did not turn out even after digital enhancement.
Ironically, on the way home, I followed the Hybrid bus all the Way to my Clare Exit. Quite peppy for a hybrid bio diesel. Now I don't have to plunk down my ten dollars, the future is here and now, ready for us to use.
Start of Kids Carnival Tent Activities
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Excellent post, Gary! If I could give you a gold star I would - it deserves it. Very personal, informative and energizing. Now I have two questions:
Jeff, The "wealth" of knowledge,
I know that I've only scratched the surface. I've been looking into getting the Eco-Broker designation which would be the minimum amount of knowledge I would even consider having before trying to work with environmentally concious customers.
What was Mary like? One word Driven! Her photo does not do her justice.
Gary, Your energy fair sounds like such a success. That might be good thing for us to do down here as well. I was considering getting the ECO-Broker designation as well. I think a lot of people here are very green minded. We live so close to the Great Lakes St. Clair and Huron. Heading to Hillman tomorrow for the week - lots of lakes there.
Wynne, I would be interested in finding out where the majority of people came from that attended. Hope you have a great week.
Yes, that designation keeps coming up. Hey, let's start out own "ARE" desgnation - ActiveRainEcos! Sounds the same to me!
Wow! Thanks for the bumps!
GARY - what a very awesome recap of the energy fair! I agree with Jeff, you deserve a gold star! Your ability to describe this event is remarkable. And yes, I am pretty driven! I will be forwarding this to Jeremy and the Jennifer's from GLREA so they can see what fans they have created.
I can't offer a gold star but certainly a green star will also fit nicely here!!!
Jeff - wish you could have made it! Next year plan to attend the third annual with the new family -- it will be even bigger and better. The Michigan Energy Fair is a great model for what could happen in all 50 states!
One of my associates on Hybrid Row (forgive me, I can't remember who as I talked with so very many people) commented that they spoke with people from all over the US - even California. What a stimulating weekend!
This was such a successful event thanks to the volunteers, the wonderful staff at GLREA, the exhibitors...it goes without saying, though, that it wouldn't have been nearly as exciting without the many visitors who paid $10 for admittance! And WAY got their money's worth. An interesting story - Adam Bearup overheard a woman commenting on her way in that she didn't know if it would be worth the $10 fee. He pulled out his wallet and gave she and her companion $20 for their fees. That's the great heart of our own "Hybrid Home Guy"!
This was such a successful event that I am hoping to make a very important announcement shortly about the new paths I am hoping to be following with several of my associates....can't let the cat out of the bag yet! but you will love it!
Gary, thank you again for the compliments. It was so very nice to meet you in person! KUDOS! You are a very fine writer and a wonderful person! Hope you can get over to fish the west side soon!
Mary, This post wrote itself. I feel bad that these were the only photos that turned out (after much adjusting)
I travel all over the State and beyond to fish!
What do you like to fish best? Perch, Walleye, Bass?
I overheard a conversation today about the best Walleye fishing in the state -- you must cross the Mighty Mac to get there tho! I'll let Buzz share that info with you Monday! I don't mean to kill you with curiousity over the weekend but he tells it better! (and I need to keep him ACTIVE!)
That stinks about your photos. I was a little disappointed also. Mine turned out but I didn't capture nearly as many as I thought.
Mary, The best walleye fishing in the State is in the Trenton Channel early spring. As a matter of fact, I'll be in Bay de Noc Saturday
Gary- make sure you get some great pictures in Bay de Noc of your catch! Beautiful country, I hear. Will you be staying in a campground?
Mary, we're on Green Bay a stones throw away at MJ Wells State Park. One bar on aircard, no phone, no blackberry. There will be no catch, i'm usually catch and release. Moving north and west over next 9 days. First summer off in 4 years.
Enjoy your time Gary. Sounds like it is well deserved. Leave the technology for next week and just soak it all in!
Mary, 15 website, 3 blogs, Costs me too much to refer out to someone.
Hey, that's not a fruit
I can't wait to hear about your trip! Wow! 15 websites? Amazing! You are the tech guy, aren't you! Are you going to invest in one of the new I phones? sounds like it would be right up your alley!
Yes, I've noticed some weird fruit names today myself! Someone did some updating over the weekend!
I can feel the LOVE here!!!
And there is a lot of love to go around!