A daylong celebration of all things green brings eco-friendly fashion and auto shows, and an acclaimed public speaker to Riverland Community College Saturday. The second annual RE-fest will also feature workshops, artisans and food vendors, as well as family and children’s activities — all echoing the festival’s message of clean energy, conservation and green living.  

“This is a family-oriented day to celebrate the things we do right and examine the things we can do better,” said Steve Vietor, a board member of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Friends Committee and a Riverland instructor of construction, electricity and wind turbine technology.

RE-fest is free and lasts from 10:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the college campus, 1900 Eighth Ave. N.W. J. Drake Hamilton, Science Policy Director at Fresh Energy, will give a keynote address about building a clean energy economy at 1 p.m.

“I will be speaking about what is happening in Minnesota and Washington regarding clean energy policies aimed to pull us out of the recession,” Hamilton said. “I am going to field questions and discuss how we can push the government to set the direction for efficient energy, new technologies and growing jobs … and then get out of the way to let the free market run.”

Hamilton runs the Global Warming Solutions program at Fresh Energy in St. Paul, a private nonprofit organization specializing in the transition to clean, efficient energy. Her responsibilities include scientific analysis and policy development as well as outreach on clean energy solutions to maximize economic opportunities in Minnesota.  She appears in Austin after recent speaches to audiences at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Target, UBS Warburg, UnitedHealth Care, Great River Energy and Xcel Energy.

The day will also offer lighter eco-activities, such as wind turbine experiments, musicians and performers, a raptor show and storytelling. One eco-friendly snack available that promises to be more than just sugar-charged is the Solar S’More. The festival promises events for all ages, but Austin Utilities energy services consultant Kelly Lady, who helped organize the event, said, “One of RE-fest’s biggest goals is an attempt to teach kids — the ones who will inherit this earth how to take care of it.”

In addition, Vietor said RE-fest gives Riverland an opportunity to share their college campus with the community at large.

Lady suggested that those who plan to attend first look at the schedule of events, to make sure not to miss out on any workshops or exhibits of interest.

The festivities will come to a close at 4:30 p.m. with a concert by area eight-piece rock band After School Special, on a solar-powered stage, of course.

RE-fest is a collaborative project of Austin Utilities, Owatonna Public Utilities, Riverland Community College and Friends of The Jay C Hormel Nature Center.  In addition, it is sponsored by The Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, ABC 6 News, Hormel Foods, The Austin Audubon Society and The Izaak Walton League of America, Austin Chapter.

Schedule of Events

10:45 a.m.: Welcome Ceremony, “Spirit of the Earth” with Larry Dolphin

11 a.m.: Tales with Tails Story 1, Kevin Stauss, award-winning naturalist and storyteller, Exhibits open and workshops begin

11:30 a.m.: Raptors by Family, Audubon Center of the North Woods

12:30 p.m.: Tales with Tails Story 2, Kevin Stauss, award-winning naturalist and storyteller

1 p.m.: Keynote Speaker  J. Drake Hamilton on science policy, director at Fresh Energy 

1:30 p.m.: Tales with Tails Story 3, Kevin Stauss, award-winning naturalist and storyteller 

2 p.m.: Sustainable Fashion Show, “Twice is Nice”

3 p.m.: Tales with Tails Story 4, Kevin Stauss, award-winning naturalist and storyteller

3:30 p.m.: Raptors by Family, Audubon Center of the North Woods

4:30 p.m.: Closing Concert, Featuring After School Special

5 p.m.: Conclusion of vendor/exhibitor/workshop events

Source: www.re-fest.org