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Energy Adviser: Idea fair celebrating its 25th year

By Clark Public Utilities
Published: April 14, 2016, 6:01am

One of the best free family outings every spring sets you back just $6 for parking at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. April 22, 23 and 24, the Clark Public Utilities’ Home and Garden Idea Fair is celebrating its 25th year.

“Twenty-five years makes our Home & Garden Idea Fair pretty much a family tradition here in Clark County,” said Heather Allmain, communication services manager at Clark Public Utilities. “All activities and exhibits are free — from home and garden presentations to the huge plant sale, to discovering the excitement of Mad Science with hands-on experiments for kids.”

Hundreds of local home and garden businesses exhibit at the fair to show off their wares and expertise. For those getting ready for spring planting season, the plant sale coordinated by the Specialty Nursery Association of Clark County brings in more than 50 vendors selling trees, shrubs, vegetable starts, native plants, flowers and hanging baskets. In the 25 years since its beginning, the sale has grown into one of the area’s largest. This year the Landscape Showcase includes six full-sized displays presented by the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals and a new Patio Power! exhibit with inspirations for container gardening.

For those considering building a new home, undertaking a remodeling project, or seeking gardening tips, the Building Industry Association of Clark County and Think! Campaign will host the guest presentation stage with four expert speakers a day to help with a variety of projects.

“The Home and Garden Idea Fair is also a chance for our utility customers to learn about ways to make their homes more energy-efficient and comfortable,” said Allmain. “It’s where they can engage our employees in person and talk about anything from protecting wetlands to improving water quality, to the various rebates and incentives we offer related to energy-efficient home improvements.”

Tiny home on display

For anyone thinking big about living small, Wolf Industries’ tiny house will be on display in the Landscape Showcase, with outdoor spaces designed by Clark County Landscaping. Anyone wanting to truly downsize, or in need of a mobile escape, can tour the tiny home on wheels. The 10- by 25-foot house demonstrates how a small, energy-efficient portable house is as big on comfort and style as a larger home.

For energy-efficient homes on a larger scale, New Tradition Homes is building its new Innovation Home inside the Exhibition Hall, highlighting the latest technology for making a home beautiful, comfortable and energy-efficient.

Once again, the interactive Power Zone exhibit returns to help kids discover the power of electricity and ways to stay safe. The zone also features fun interactive activities, including a bicycle generator that allows kids to brighten a light bulb using their “muscle power” and the “hair-raising” Van de Graaf generator.

An LED light display will show off energy-efficient lighting, and the Plant Clark Neighborhood Outreach Trailer will demonstrate a home energy monitor, among other energy-saving devices.

Bring your burned-out CFL bulbs with you and save yourself a trip to the recycler. The utility will safely recycle your burned-out screw-in CFLs and exchange them for up to six new ones, plus a bonus LED.

Last year about 22,000 people attended the Clark Public Utilities Home and Garden Idea Fair. There’s no admission fee, just $6 for fairgrounds parking. Nonperishable food items for local food banks or donations for Operation Warm Heart, a program providing home heating grants to families in financial crisis, are encouraged.


 

Energy Adviser is written by Clark Public Utilities. Send questions to ecod@clarkpud.com or to Energy Adviser, c/o Clark Public Utilities, P.O. Box 8900, Vancouver, WA 98668.

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