Learn about Living "Green" at Blue Ridge Electric's GreenSmart Festival
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Boone, North Carolina (July 22, 2009) – Everyone is invited to a fun, free afternoon of learning about living “green” at the GreenSmart Festival offered by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation on Saturday, July 25, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Appalachian State University’s Durham Park.
In addition to the cooperative’s family of energy efficiency programs, the festival features some 30 to 40 different exhibitors to help local residents learn about everything from renewable energy to home weatherization funds available to local residents. Free children’s activities such as an air walk will also be available. Those attending can bring a picnic or purchase hot dogs, drinks or popcorn at the festival, which will be especially convenient for those attending An Appalachian Summer Festival’s Kenny Loggins concert at Holmes Convocation Center at 7:30 that evening.
Entertaining at the GreenSmart Festival will be the solar powered band “Southern Exposure”. ASU’s renewable energy mobile unit known as DAISEE (Driving Appropriate Innovative Sustainability Energy Education) will also be on hand.
Those coming by the Blue Ridge Electric GreenSmart booth will receive a coupon good for an extra $2 off the purchase of either $10 in CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) or a $14 water heater wrap kit. Blue Ridge Electric sells these products in their district offices at below retail prices to help its members affordably purchase products that will help their homes be more energy efficient and reduce their home electric bill.
“These valuable coupons will help members even further reduce their cost of purchasing products that help control two key areas of energy usage in homes: lighting and hot water heating,” said Renee Whitener, director of public relations for Blue Ridge Electric. “We’ve had many members who have seen a big difference in their home electric bill simply by changing out their traditional light bulbs to CFLs,” she added.
Exhibitors at the GreenSmart Festival will have a wide variety of information and give-aways to help attendees learn about living green, green job opportunities, home energy audits, green building techniques, and finding simple, often inexpensive ways to control energy usage and costs while helping improve the environment. Exhibitors include: Blue Ridge Energy Works, Eco-Green, Institute for Sustainable Development, Caldwell Community College, Building Performance Engineering, Scott Brothers Heating and Air, Inc., T-Square Solar Solutions, Green Horizons Innovators, WAMY—Community Action Agency Weatherization Assistance Program, ASU Sustainable Energy Society, ASU Recycling Program, Watauga County Recycling Program, Appalachian Initiative for Renewable Energy, High Country Energy Solutions, Mountain Keepers, Green Mother Goods, Music on the Mountain, State Energy Office, Zydec Moon Organic Farm, Sunny Day Homes, Inc., Watauga County Cooperative Extension Service, Mountaineer Sheet Metal, Home Energy Solutions, Enertia Building Systems, Inc., New River Building Supply/Guardian Fiberglass, Appalachian State University Energy Center, and Western North Carolina Renewable Energy Initiative.
After the GreenSmart Festival, An Appalachian Summer Festival will be featuring its grand finale concert with Kenny Loggins across the street in the Holmes Convocation Center starting at 7:30 p.m. Blue Ridge Electric members receive a $5 discount on tickets, which can be purchased the day of the event or in advance by calling the university ticket office at 1-800-841-2787.
