Was it a hot time at SolarFest?

With record crowds expected, SolarFest 2008 promised an eclectic mix of entertainment, education, food and activities at the Forget-Me-Not Farm in Tinmouth.

Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman, president of the board of trustees, believes the importance of the event lies in “showing people how to open doors that can change their lives.”

SolarFest is completely powered by renewable energy and although the Forget-Me-Not Farm draws from renewable energy sources such as CowPower, the festival did not draw from the grid at all.

“We’ve amassed a lot of solar energy. So, we’ve banked it, but we also have enough arrays (solar panels) and batteries that we will not be drawing anything from the grid this year. We are run on 100 percent solar power,” said Chesnut-Tangerman.

The main stage, a 100-amp solar-powered sound and light stage, hosted several musical acts including Anais Mitchell, Emma’s Revolution, Barefoot Truth, Bonepony, Crowfoot, Boreal Tordu, Chuck E. Costa, and New Groove Orchestra.

Singer/songwriter Dar Williams took the stage for her sixth time at SolarFest.

“She’s a believer, she supports our cause,” Chesnut-Tangerman said of the musician, adding, “She’s a solid draw.”

In addition to the music, many food vendors were on hand including Best Moon, The Barn Restaurant, Ben & Jerry’s, Naga Bakehouse, Coffeeman, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Samosaman and Sunweaver Solar Café & Juice Joint.

This year’s SolarFest was expected to attract thousands more people each day than last year, a phenomena Chesnut-Tangerman attributes to the mainstream consciousness of global warming and energy consumption.

“Gas is $4 a gallon and all of sudden everybody just woke up. Global warming is no longer a leftist or radical political position. But people are understanding that we’ve got to think about this or start to do something about it,” Chesnut-Tangerman said.

Last year, about 3,000 people a day were estimated to be on site. This year.

“It’s so American to think that its relevance and success means larger size when in fact … we really like what we have. It’s important for us to keep the flavor and keep people coming back… because we feel like a community.”

Kenyon agrees that SolarFest brings out a sense of community and she said the purpose of the festival is an important one.

“People’s impression is that it’s a hippie fest and although there are people who used to be hippies who are very deeply involved, that’s not what it’s about,” Kenyon said. “It’s about the bigger world. Living responsibly on the Earth and that’s something everybody should do.”

Contact Patricia Minichiello at patricia.minichiello@rutlandherald.com.