For over 25 years SolarFest has been the best summer festival in Vermont with the innovative idea of ‘energy education through the arts.’ Now they are building a permanent, year-round home in Brandon, Vermont to celebrate the wide-ranging solutions to climate change and its impact on our future. (Images courtesy of Mike Bailey)
Mike Bailey
SolarFest began with an innovative idea to bring people together with live music and fun in the beauty and warmth of Vermont as a way to celebrate the power and possibilities of solar energy and more.
Since 1995, these summer gatherings have inspired visitors from across North America with a unique blend of music, art, and education at a relaxed family-friendly festival. The SolarFest community is known for the most interesting conversations, bringing together outstanding artists, speakers, and practitioners to share their passions, the latest ideas, and real-world solutions to help shape a better world for us all.
Following two years of convening pandemic-driven virtual festivals, some generous patrons came together to underwrite obtaining a suitable property for a permanent SolarFest home. With the diligence of their volunteer search committee, and the enthusiastic support of the Brandon Energy Committee and Selectboard, SolarFest moved fast in identifying the rolling fields, classic barns, and magnificent vistas of the Taconic and Green Mountains on the old Steinberg Farm as the perfect site to put down roots.
“Due to the commitment and generosity of the remarkable people who have been part of SolarFest, we’re able to begin a new phase of sharing arts, ideas, and partnerships that can help create a strong and sustainable future,” said Bill Laberge, President of SolarFest.
Brandon already has a vibrant music and arts scene, where the musicians, artists, songwriters, and theater performers of SolarFest will fit right in. Centrally located and accessible, the home of the original Davenport electric motor is the ideal location for year-round demonstrations of renewable energy, green buildings, electric transportation, and regenerative agriculture. Plus, they have plans to return to providing training and mentoring for the next generation of clean energy professionals.
With a New Permanent Home, Now It’s Time for a Party!
On Saturday, September 10th SolarFest will unveil its new home with an all-day festival featuring outstanding Vermont musicians, captivating displays and workshops, and a wide array of fun, exciting activities for the whole family. This homecoming also features delicious local food and beverages in a comfortable new food court, interesting vendor displays, and walking tours of the over 50-acre site.
The celebration starts at 11:00 am and runs through 10:00 pm, with live music starting at noon. Performers include an eclectic mix of original folk, rock, bluegrass, and jazz music, featuring the Krishna Guthrie Band, Luminous Crush, award-winning singer songwriters in-the-round, as well as the return of the SolarFest House Band, just to name a few. Even the solar-powered stage is both historic and sustainable, a donation by Ray Massucco from its previous use at the Roots-on-the-River Festival in Bellows Falls.
The legacy of SolarFest in making family fun affordable continues in 2022, with a return to the decade-old price of only $15 for early bird admission and kids under 12 admitted free with an adult. Complete details about the new SolarFest home in Brandon and tickets for the September 10th homecoming celebration are available at www.SolarFest.org.
Mike Bailey is a sustainable energy consultant and trustee of SolarFest.org
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