The Grand Strand Green Fair put its money where its mouth is Sunday, offering eco-friendly food, fun and entertainment that is powered with Santee Cooper Green Power.
The Grand Strand Green Fair purchased renewable Green Power from Santee Cooper to meet all of the needs for the event held at Grand Park.
“Partnering with Santee Cooper to provide Green Power to our first ever Grand Strand Green Fair is a natural fit,” said Michael Caplan, vice president and general manager for WBTW News 13.
Santee Cooper has more than 21 megawatts of clean, renewable Green Power from sources including landfill biogas and solar power.
In fact, Santee Cooper is the only utility generating Green Power in South Carolina, which it began in 2001 by opening the Horry County Landfill Generating Station.
"If we can use something that is naturally being produced such as wind or solar, then that would cost you a lot less than us having to actually use fossil fuels such as coal and natural gases," said Bobby Branton with Santee Cooper.
The Grand Strand Green Fair was organized by WBTW News 13, the Morning News in Florence and www.scnow.com.
With a focus on “growing green communities,” it offered attendees more than 50 exhibitors and demonstrations on eco-friendly options for homes and businesses, a Kids Zone Eco-Carnival, Green Fare food, musical entertainment and more.
Suzie Webster started the green fair in Charleston.
"We had a lot of calls from other cities that were interested in bringing the green fair to their city," said Webster.
Vendor, Ross Kuenzle said using solar energy to heat your home, or even your water, can lower your utility bill.
The best part, Kuenzle said, the solar panels don't have to stand out.
"Solar panels have always been an ugly eyesore on a home, and what we've done is beautified it and given it a multipurpose, where you can create living space as well as create energy," Kuenzle said.
“Reuse” is the way Mark Weisner stays green.
All of the t-shirts he sells are made of recycled cotton or of organic materials.
"As a world, we have to do better to protect the planet for our children and their children,” said Weisner. “Any way that we can do to use less fertilizers or less water is better.”
The Green Fair went “green” as well.
All of the trash from the event was shredded so that parts of it could be recycled.
Kids were also educated through environmentally friendly games.
Webster said bringing "green" awareness is the most important aspect of the fair.
"Just trying to kind of encourage people to not only do the recycling and things like that, but also to buy local, educate them on energy practices and things they can do, water conservation, and have a little fun while they're here," she said.
Having fun, Webster said, while helping to make the world a healthier environment.
Organizers said more than 1500 people attended the Grand Strand Green Fair.
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