Refrigerator art at Springfield Earth Fair

Anyone who attended Springfield's Earth Fair on May 7 was impressed by the "Refrigerators on Parade" contest. Fridges were decorated in honor of CWLP's 100 years of operation and the contest also promoted the energy-saving Refrigerator Roundup program.

I finally got around to uploading my pictures to flickr today.


Tom Irwin was on hand to preform.






I'm biased toward this one that celebrates wind and solar power.




100 years ago the voters of Springfield had the anarcho-socialist notion that we should own and operate our own local utility for the benefit of the people. Today, even conservative bankers at the Chamber of Commerce are forced to acknowledge CWLP as the crown jewel of Springfield. CWLP how lower rates, more reliable service and cleaner power than other Illinois utilities.



One fridge focused on extinct and endangered species.



I like the smokestack pinwheels on this one.

Springfield's Earth Fair was held at the new Southwind Park. It has a number of sustainable features including solar panels, a wind turbine, a LEED certified building, a hydrothermal heating/cooling system in the park's lake, and native plants.






The new wind turbine towered above SUVs and minivans parked at the event.

A good time was had by all.