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Portage County Farmers Market
30May

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Energy Fair

By Portage County Business Council

There are a bunch of new and exciting features at the Energy Fair this year to celebrate their 30th Anniversary!

There will be three live cooking demonstrations from Chefs across Wisconsin, including Inga Witscher, host of the PBS series “Around the Farm Table.”

Around the Farm Table’s “A Visit From Inga!”
Sunday, June 23 – 11:00 a.m. at the Forest Stage
Join Inga Witscher, host of the PBS series Around the Farm Table for an entertaining and educational cooking demonstration.
Inga will be making a Smorgastrata, a Scandinavian style sandwich cake.  Learn More about Inga.

Chef Demonstration
Saturday, June 22 – 10:00 a.m. at the Forest Stage
Featuring: Chef Justin Johnson, CEO and founder of Sustainable Kitchens, a scratch food consulting company headquartered in Milwaukee.
Justin is a graduate of both LeCordon Bleu, Chicago and the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.
Justin has been featured in Food Service Director Magazine, Sizzle Magazine, The National Culinary Review, and The New York Times.
Justin will be preparing a one-pot Mediterranean Salmon dish featuring fresh wild caught salmon, local tomatoes and peppers, with olives, capers, and tarragon in a white wine broth.

DNR Cooking Demonstration
Friday, June 21 – 9:00 am at the Forest Stage
Featuring: The waters and woods of Wisconsin are teeming with fish and game. Learn how to create a tasty, healthy meal in your own kitchen by preparing the fish, deer, and pheasant you just harvested in the nearest lake, river, or forest. Presented by Theresa Stabo, Angler R3 Coordinator, Ashley Van Egtern, DNR R3 Program Specialist, Marty Moses, State Coordinator, Pheasants Forever, and Andrew Krismer, WI DNR.

More than 200 exhibitors will be selling and displaying innovative products for homes and businesses. Some of the products included are: solar and wind electric systems, energy efficient appliances, educational books, recycled products, artisan gifts, and much more. The Energy Fair only offers exhibit space to those who work directly with issues such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable living, or environmental conservation.

Whether you’re interested in expanding clean energy, sustainable gardening and food preparation, propelling your community forward in their sustainability efforts, clean transportation, or maybe, just jamming out to a couple of our ten musical acts, there is something for you at The 30th Anniversary Energy Fair!

The Energy Fair has a festival-style music schedule that includes ten bands performing all weekend on two stages (one of them human-powered) along with two open mic sessions. There will be performances from Dead Horses, People Brothers Band, Art Stevenson & High Water, and more. Plus enjoy family-friendly performances by aerialists, sustainable signing with Tom Pease, a live Raptor Show, and more kid-friendly programming.

You will find lots of delicious food choices at The Energy Fair! We strive to find vendors who are local, organic, and follow sustainable practices. Throughout the day, visit our food vendors and the MREA Cafe for lunch, snacks, dinner, or coffee to keep you fueled throughout the day. Refreshments including fresh local food, an espresso bar, an iced maple latte stand, solar-brewed beer, and more will be served.

The Energy Fair implements zero-waste practices, serving all products on compostable or reusable dinnerware. The sale of plastic bottled water is prohibited. Recycling, waste, and compost containers are clearly marked.

Want to find out more? Visit https://www.theenergyfair.org/