Solar Fair & Permaculture Expo with

Solar Energy Businesses, Organizations, and Exhibits

Permaculture Workshops & Demonstrations for All Ages

Live Music * Delicious Local Food * Door Prizes

Local Craft Beer * Colorado Wine & Organic Hard Ciders * Fresh Juices * Herbal Teas

Stage Schedule (Subject to Change)

4:45 PM Welcome

5:00 PM North Fork Valley Exploratory Chorus with Susan Ellinger

5:45 PM Opening Remarks

6:00 PM Solar Brothers

6:45 PM Brief Program

7:00 PM URSA URSA!

Featuring musicians from the Grizzly Pears and Free the Honey

7:45 PM Door Prize Drawing! (Must be present to win)

8:45 PM Closing Remarks

The North Fork Valley Exploratory Chorus, under the directorship of Susan Ellinger, is a group of singing enthusiasts with goals of deepening their skill and appreciation for ensemble music making in a supportive environment.

The chorus meets weekly to sing and study, and many of the participants choose to perform in regular concerts at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts and in the greater community at large.  The chorus is open to all ages and all abilities with an emphasis on folk and spiritual song repertoire.

Ms. Ellinger is a concert pianist and the Blue Sage’s Music Series Artistic Director. She loves living in Paonia with her dog, Scout.

The Solar Brothers, (a.k.a. Paul Frazier & Roy Martin) are Delta county’s local favorites that span decades of Americana, classic pop, blues & folk genres. Their diverse repertoires include songs by artists Lyle Lovett, Paul Thorn, The Steel Wheels, Poco, Beatles, Dirt Band, Dylan, CSN, and Monty Python.

Complimenting original songs, Paul & Roy blend tight vocal harmonies with finger-style and red-hot picking acoustic guitar, mandolin, slide guitar and melodica.

URSA URSA! Is a side project by the Grizzly Pears songwriter/accordionist Jon Hickam, Sousaphone master Jeanette Carey, percussionist extraordinaire David Alderdice, and multi-lingual vocal diva Christi Gubser.  This project also features jazz violin from Lizzy Plotkin, on loan from Crested Butte’s delicious Free the Honey.

Check out http://grizzlypears.com  to listen to or purchase their new EP “Apéritif” or http://freethehoney.com/ to learn more about their recordings and upcoming shows.

Camping & Lodging

If you are coming from out-of-town, here are a few options for lodging and camping. The list isn’t exhaustive.

Camping is available at Delicious Orchards, opening on May 13.

A fantastic getaway on nearby Pitkin Mesa Wiseheart Springs Inn Bed & Breakfast.

Located in the heart of downtown Paonia the Living Farm Inn comes with a farm-fresh breakfast.

The Rocky Mountain Inn hotel offers a wide selection of updated rooms in Paonia.

The historic Bross Hotel in Paonia is the place if vintage Victorian is your style.

A Simpler Time Bed and Breakfast offers guests the chance to stay in a restored farm house.

The Agape Farm & Retreat provides a peaceful and meditative place to relax, just down the road from the Solar Energy International campus.

Workshop Schedule (Subject to Change) 

Sponsored by The Learning Council

5:15 – 5:45 PM: Seed planting for kids with Wind Clearwater (kids of all ages)

This workshop will introduce children to the basics of planting seeds and plant families.  Each child (and adult) will be given a pot that they have planted a  seed in to take home.  This workshop is geared toward children, however, adults are always welcome.

6:00 – 7:00 PM: Introduction to Permaculture with Wind Clearwater & Basics of Biodynamics with Patricia Frazier

Also – Demonstration Projects by Paonia Soil, local farms, and community groups: Learn about gardening for kids, for bees, and for climate

Exhibitors include:

Colorado Farm & Food Alliance

Conservation Colorado

Atlasta Solar Center

Delta Montrose Electric Association

The Learning Council

National Wildlife Federation

Citizens for a Healthy Community

Rocky Mountain Dehydrated Foods

Western Slope Conservation Center

Textiles of Taquile Island, Lake Titicaca

Empowered Energy Systems

High Noon Solar

Solar Energy International – Solarize Delta County

Wakeup Express Fest

Zephyros Farm & Garden

Citizens Climate Lobby – Montrose & Delta County

Food (for sale) by:

Map Wraps

The Learning Council

Thanks to our generous friends that have donated door prizes, food & drink!

Revolution Brewing

Big B’s Delicious Juices & Hard Ciders

Remedy Juice Bar & Cafe

Shish KaBikes

Cirque Cyclery

Paonia Farm & Home

Paonia Soil

Solar Energy International

Mountain West Strategies

Delta Montrose Electric Association

Grizzly Pears

Solar Brothers

What else to do?

May is a wonderful time in our valley, and businesses are ready to welcome our seasonal guests. There are so many things to do!

Revolution Brewing Party with the locals.

West Elk Wineries Over a dozen wineries with the best views in Colorado.

Paradise Theatre Our community-owned theater offers music, performance, and movies.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (North Rim) This is a Park that should be on everyone’s “bucket list,” the North Rim is located just outside of nearby Crawford, Colorado.