Travel & Accommodations

We want to help you find the easiest way to get to Custer, WI and the best places to stay once you’ve arrived. In early 2022, you’ll be able to check back here to get information on camping and general lodging, transportation, and even kennel information for your pets!

See the lists below for past years’ information and to get a taste of what you might be looking forward to in 2022!

Location

Address
7558 Deer Road
Custer, WI 54423
Google Map

Dates and Hours
Friday, June 24 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 25 – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 26 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Energy Fair is held in Custer, Wisconsin – about seven miles East of Stevens Point. Nestled in the heart of central Wisconsin, Custer is surrounded by rolling hills, lakes, trout streams, and beautiful woodlands. Custer has been the home of the Fair since 2002.

Past Years’ Travel

BUSES (MKE & MADISON)

Free Milwaukee Bus

Bus from Milwaukee runs ONLY on Saturday, June 27, 2020.

Bus fare from Milwaukee to The Energy Fair is FREE thanks to Milwaukee Shines. Limited to first 24 sign-ups. Attendees must pay their own entrance into the Fair. Register at: TheEnergyFair.org/tickets.

We have the following timing and stops planned:

6:45 a.m.: Park N Ride near Holt Ave and I-43/94/41; free parking available
7:00 a.m.: Milwaukee Train Station (Southeast of I-43/I-794); free street parking may be available in the area; $3 for full day in parking garage
7:20 a.m.: Wauwatosa (US 45/Watertown Plank Rd); free parking available
9:45 a.m.: Arrive at The Energy Fair
7:15 p.m.: Depart The Energy Fair to return to Milwaukee. Arrive in Wauwatosa at 9:30 p.m., Milwaukee Train Station at 9:45 p.m., and the Park N’ Ride near Holt Ave at 10:00 p.m.

The Milwaukee bus is proudly sponsored by Milwaukee Shines.

Free Madison Bus

Bus from Madison runs ONLY on Saturday, June 27, 2020.

Bus fare from Madison and Portage to The Energy Fair is FREE thanks Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter. Please register for your free bus ticket HERE. Attendees must pay their own entrance into the Fair. Register at: TheEnergyFair.org/tickets.

7:00 a.m.: Depart from Willy St Coop West, 6825 University Ave in Middleton. (Please arrive early and park on the street.)
7:15 a.m.: Depart from Hilldale parking lot entrance opposite the Great Dane (Park on the top floor of the ramp.)
7:30 a.m.: Depart from Kohl Center, 601 W Dayton St.
7:45 a.m.: Depart behind Hawthorne Library, 2707 Hermina St.
8:30 a.m.: Optional pick up in Portage, WI if there are riders.
9:45 a.m.: Arrive at The Energy Fair
7:15 p.m.: Depart The Energy Fair to return to Madison. Arrive at Willy St Coop West by 10:00 p.m.

PURCHASE YOUR FAIR TICKETS!

The Madison/Portage bus is proudly sponsored by Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter.

LOCAL SHUTTLES

Shuttle Schedule

Stay tuned! Shuttle schedule coming soon!

Free Back 40 Shuttle

Camping in the Back 40? Leave your car and take our free shuttle to the fairgrounds! It runs every 15 minutes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during these approximate times:

Friday & Saturday
7:15 a.m.–11:40 p.m.

Sunday
7:15 a.m.–4:15 p.m.

CARPOOL/RIDESHARE

Group Carpool

Sign up to join a group carpool as either a rider or a driver for transportation to the Fair! No login or accounts required. Watch this 5-minute video to learn more.

FIND A CARPOOL

Wisconsin’s Rideshare

WI’s RIDESHARE program is a free, state-provided service which brings commuters together. RIDESHARE serves all of WI and the bordering counties of adjacent states (IA, IL, MI, MN). Registration through the site is free. It also offers Facebook integration, as well as downloadable applications for those who don’t have email.

FIND A RIDESHARE

BIKE

Jump on Your Bike!

Want cut out those carbon emissions altogether while getting some exercise? The Energy Fair is a comfortable ride from Stevens Point or Amherst. Contact us at 715-592-6595 for group bike rides to the Fair! Stevens Point bike rentals are available through Nature Treks at 715-254-0247.

FLY

Nearest Airports*

Mosinee (CWA): 30 miles

Appleton (ATW): 60 miles

Madison (MSN): 110 miles

La Crosse (LSE): 125 miles

Milwaukee (MKE): 160 miles

Minneapolis (MSP): 220 miles

Chicago O’Hare (ORD): 250 miles

Chicago Midway (MDW): 250 miles

*mileage is approximate

Past Years’ Accommodations

BACK 40 CAMPGROUND

Back 40 Campground

During the week of The Energy Fair, both tent and RV campsites are available at our rustic Back 40 Campground. Sites are located just one mile from the Front Gate.

Site sales open 4/1/20 and remain open until sold out.

Tent, walk-in: $20/night
Tent with car: $22/night
RV: $25/night

RESERVE YOUR CAMPSITE

Feel free leave your vehicle parked at the campground while you walk, ride your bike, or take our complimentary shuttle to the fairgrounds. A solar-powered shower trailer and porta-potties are available for your use. (Please note, there are no electrical hook-ups available.)

Locally-made baked goods and fresh fair trade, organic coffee are available for purchase on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

LEARN MORE/VIEW BACK 40 FLYER

The Back 40 is sponsored by Crockett Septic, LLC,who services septic systems and rent portable restrooms. Did you know that portable restrooms save 125 million gallons of fresh water everyday?

Back 40 Campground Address:
1215 County Road QQ
Custer, WI 54423

GROUP BLOCK CODES

Days Inn & Suites

A group block code for the Days Inn & Suites in Stevens Point, WI will be available until May 26, 2020. Please go to the Days Inn & Suites website, or call the hotel directly at 715-254-8685, to make a reservation, using group block code CGMREA. Attendees are responsible for payment of any and all charges they incur during their hotel stay. A shuttle from the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center to The Energy Fair will be available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please see the shuttle schedule for more details.

MAKE A RESERVATION

Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center

A group block code for the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point, WI will be available until May 27, 2020. Please go to the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center website, or call the hotel directly at 715-344-0200, to make a reservation, using group block code MRE. Attendees are responsible for payment of any and all charges they incur during their hotel stay. A shuttle from the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center to The Energy Fair will be available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please see the shuttle schedule for more details.

MAKE A RESERVATION

AREA ACCOMMODATIONS

Area Hotels, B&Bs, and Campgrounds

Please visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s website for additional lodging and campground options.* Don’t forget to check out which lodging options are Travel Green WI certified.

VIEW AREA ACCOMMODATIONS

For more information on Custer, the surrounding area, and Portage County, please visit the Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

LEARN MORE

*Listing does not imply endorsement from the MREA. For details and availability, please contact the site directly.

PET KENNELS

PLEASE, NO PETS!

Dogs are not allowed on the fairgrounds, in the parking lot, or in the campgrounds. Dogs and/or any other animal found in any of these areas will be reported to staff and may be removed by the authorities.

For a small fee, you can keep your pet safe and comfortable at one of the following kennels:

Wag Inn Kennels (Custer, nearest to The Energy Fair): 715-592-4972
Country Paws Bed & Biscuit (Stevens Point): 715-544-4448
Pawsitively Unleashed! (Custer): 715-347-3294
The Barking Lot (Stevens Point): 715-341-9322
Camp Bandy Pet Resort (Amherst Jct.): 715-824-3900
Muckamoor Boarding Kennel (Plover): 715-344-8533

PACKING LIST

Packing List

COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES for checking out all of the events, exhibit booths, and attractions around the fairgrounds. The Energy Fair is nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Custer, WI.
SUN PROTECTION – Leave it to the solar modules to soak up those photons. The Energy Fair is held outdoors; we recommend lathering on that sunscreen, bringing a hat, or purchasing one in the MREA Marketplace.
A SAMPLE OF YOUR WELL-WATER to have it screened for nitrates by water specialists at booth X18.
A PHOTO OF YOU IN YOUR ENERGY FAIR SHIRT to add to our bulletin board collection in the MREA Marketplace. We want to see where you’ve repped your Energy Fair t-shirt pride out and about!
REUSABLE BOTTLE to fill up on water, coffee, solar-brewed beer and hard cider, juice, and more tasty beverages served at the Fair. As part of our Zero-Waste efforts, the sale of plastic water bottles is prohibited.
YOUR OLD INCANDESCENT BULBS and stop by the Focus on Energy booth to swap out your old bulbs for new ones. You’ll receive a brand new 60W ENERGY STAR LED for each bulb turned-in (limit 12 per customer).
BAG FOR GOODIES – With over 200 exhibitors showcasing and selling sustainable products, a lively silent auction, and an artisan market, you’ll want to bring a bag for carrying around all the goodies you’ll score at the Fair.
YOUR MREA MEMBERSHIP receipt, Lifetime Member button, or ID to get FREE entry as an MREA Member. We’ll have a list of members at the Front Gate.
RAIN GEAR because the Fair happens RAIN or SHINE!
CAMERA or SMART PHONE to take lots of photos and spread the word on social media. #TheEnergyFair
EMPTY STOMACH to fill up on all of the locally sourced and energizing food and beverages that are available. Join us at the Benefit Dinner on Saturday for some tasty Puerto Rican inspired cuisine.
YOUR KIDS for family friendly fun at Rainbow’s End Tent. Please note that children must be accompanied by a parent or gaurdian at all times.
YOUR ELECTRIC VEHICLE to charge up under our newly constructed solar canopy and charging stations. Please consider showing your vehicle in the Fair‘s Clean Transportation Show.
CAMPING GEAR if you’re posting up in The Energy Fair Back 40 Campground.
YOUR DANCE MOVES for rocking out to the 10 musical guests featured over the weekend. If you have Salsa moves, we want to see them on Saturday!
YOUR QUESTIONS & CURIOSITY are very welcome at the Fair. We encourage you to ask presenters and exhibitors all your questions regarding clean energy and sustainable living. Pencil, pens, and paper are good items to bring to take notes.
MOST OF ALL WE WANT YOU TO BRING YOUR POSITIVE CAN-DO ATTITUDE AND GOOD VIBES TO THE 31ST ANNUAL ENERGY FAIR, JUNE 26-28!