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Hundreds celebrated the usage of solar power and alternative energy at ChicoFest, a free event at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. on Saturday and Sunday.
The event, which included the 11th annual Eco-Fest Earth Day celebration, was put on by the city and by Chico State's Institute for Sustainable Development.
Eco-Fest has been held on campus in the past, but this time the brewery helped collaborate and put on the event, said senior Ivaly Sanford, who helped organize the event. There's a lot more room at the brewery.
At the event were almost 50 booths, which were dedicated to the promotion of alternative energy such as solar power and the importance of recycling.
One booth was dedicated to informing people of solar power and its benefits.
Working the booth was Josh Cutler, an electrician for Chico Electric and head of its residential solar division, who said he wants people to understand how to maximize the use of solar power and minimize harmful energy. Cutler cited Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. as an example of responsible power usage.
"The brewery runs on about 90 percent alternative power," he said.
To put it in perspective, the brewery produces 1,000 times more energy than the average student uses on a daily basis, Cutler said.
There were various solar panels located around the event, which provided all of the energy for the different booths, stages and equipment, he said.
Another booth put on by Chico Electric Cars promoted the use of electric bikes, scooters, cars and other electric-powered vehicles.
"These electric-powered bikes can reach up to 20 miles per hour and can go 20 miles without pedaling," said Chico Electric Cars employee Matt McBride. "These bikes are great because there's no need for a driver's license. All you need is a helmet and to be 16 years old."
Other events included a wide variety of performers who pleased the crowd with reggae and country music, while others danced to African beats.
One of the activities offered at ChicoFest was an African/Afro-Caribbean dance class which was put on by the university and led by Chico State professor Jeanne Christopherson.
"Music and dance are completely compatible with recycling," Christopherson said.
The Afro-Caribbean dance troupe, known as Nefertiti's Dozen, performed a couple of dances, including a Haitian dance called Yanvalou and a celebration dance called Kuku, Christopherson said.
Nearing the end of its last performance, the dance troupe had convinced many onlookers to join in on their festive dance on the grass in front of the stage.
Other crowd-pleasers included Boss 501, Swamp Zen, Perpetual Drifters, The Melodramatics and MarchFourth Marching Band.
Some key speakers were Mayor Ann Schwab, Chico State President Paul Zingg, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. founder and CEO Ken Grossman.
Holding the event at the brewery caused a decrease in student attendance, which is a minor flaw, Sanford said.
"We're seeing a lot more people show up from the community and less students since it's not being held on campus," she said.
The celebration was not just to promote the use of solar panels, it was also to help people to understand the vision behind alternative energy, Zingg said.
"It's about vision, commitment, the sense of daring and setting a good example," he said. "We're celebrating what good citizens do, like Ken Grossman. It's all about the future."
August Walsh can be reached at
awalsh@theorion.com
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