For travelers seeking offbeat vacations where they can learn something new, central Wisconsin is the place to be in late June. Now in its ninth year, the fair has grown to become the largest event of its kind, with thousands attending. And Ralph Nader is speaking this year. This year the fair is June 19-21 at the county fairgrounds in tiny Amherst, nestled in the hills east of Stevens Point. It's open to the public without reservations and features activities for children as well as tent concerts at night.
Many families come, and most leave with new products or practical tips for saving money at home.
Although tax subsidies for home energy improvements died with the Carter administration, the concepts have survived and advanced, sometimes literally underground. With the recent global warming treaty, non-polluting power is making a comeback. Ralph Nader may share some energetic words about the Thompson administration's environmental policy. Nader conserved energy by barely campaigning as the Green Party presidential candidate in 1996, but nevertheless came in fourth. Amherst's own Mick Sagrillo will talk about wind power after his recent projects in Korea, China and Alaska.