We want to help you find the best place to stay during your visit to The 30th Anniversary Energy Fair in Custer, WI. Options range from camping at the Back 40 (within walking/biking distance), to local hotels, to Travel Green locations that implement sustainable practices. We even have kennel info for your pets.
Wisconsin Camping, Lodging & Buses
Energy Fair Location
The Energy Fair grounds are located at the Midwest Renewable Energy Association headquarters, nestled in the beautiful rolling hills of Custer, WI—about seven miles east of Stevens Point.
Address:
Midwest Renewable Energy Association
7558 Deer Road
Custer, WI 54423
Looking for a place to stay nearby? See a full listing of area lodging options, including hotels, bed & breakfasts, motels, and campgrounds at our Area Accommodations page.
Both tent and RV campsites are available at our rustic Back 40 Campground during The Energy Fair. Sites are located just 1 mile from the Front Gate.
Sales begin April 1st and remain open until sold out.
- Tent, walk-in: $20/night
- Tent with car: $22/night
- RV: $25/night
Feel free to park your car for the weekend while you walk, ride your bike, or take the free shuttle (runs every 15 minutes) to The Energy Fair. A solar-powered shower trailer and porta-potties are available for your use. (Please note, there are no electrical hook-ups available.) To learn more, see the Back 40 Campground Flyer. Reserve your campsite on our Tickets Page.
The Back 40 is sponsored by Crockett Septic, LLC. They service septic systems and rent portable restrooms. Did you know that portable restrooms save 125 million gallons of fresh water everyday?
Breakfast at the Back 40
Enjoy baked goods and fresh coffee each morning: 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Back 40 Campground Address
1215 County Road QQ
Custer, WI 54423
A group block code for the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point, WI will be available until May 22, 2019. Please call the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center at 715-344-0200 to make a reservation, using group block code REN. 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.
You can visit the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s website to see a full list of hotels and camping in the central WI area, and don’t forget to check out which lodging options are Travel Green WI certified. Listing does not imply endorsement from the MREA. For details and availability, please contact the site directly. Additional information including details about Portage County can be obtained through the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
FREE Milwaukee Bus on Saturday, June 22
Bus fare from Milwaukee to The Energy Fair is FREE thanks to Milwaukee Shines and Panasonic. 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
Bus arrives at The Energy Fair at 9:45 a.m. and leaves the Fair at 7:15 p.m.; arrives 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.
Proudly sponsored by Sierra Club – John Muir Chapter. Register 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. Will be back at Willy St West by 10:00 p.m.
FREE Eau Claire/Menomonie/Osseo Bus on Saturday, June 22
“Always Delivering,” Xcel Energy and Panasonic want to deliver YOU to The Energy Fair! Both companies are pleased to sponsor a bus from the Eau Claire area to the MREA Fair in Custer so that bus fare is FREE. Come visit 200+ exhibitors and choose from more than 250 workshops on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability. Attendees must pay their own entrance into the Fair. Register at: TheEnergyFair.org/tickets.
We have the following timing and stops planned:
6:15 a.m. – Menomonie (UW-Stout parking lot 14, located on the east side of Broadway St S, between Main St E and 10 Ave E, see campus map)
6:45 a.m. – Eau Claire (south side of Oakwood Mall, 4800 Golf Rd, Eau Claire, WI 54701)
7:15 a.m. – Osseo (Mobile Station (closed property) 50712 Oak Grove Rd, Osseo, WI 54758. Property owned by BP Amoco Station & Golden Express Travel Plaza.)
Bus arrives at The Energy Fair at 9:45 a.m. and leaves the Fair at 7:15 p.m. Returns to Osseo at 9:30 p.m., Eau Claire at 9:45 p.m., and Menomonie at 10:00 p.m.
The 2019 Energy Fair offers FREE local shuttles to and from Stevens Point. Shuttles come hourly during the following approximate times:
Friday and Saturday
8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.*
5:00 p.m.–10:40 p.m.*
Last afternoon shuttle leaves the Fair at 2:00 p.m. Shuttles will resume at Comfort Suites at 5:00 p.m.
The last evening shuttle leaves the Fair at 10:40 p.m.
Sunday
8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.*
1:00 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.*
Last morning shuttle leaves the Fair at 11:00 a.m. Shuttles will resume at Comfort Suites at 1:00 p.m.
The FINAL shuttle leaves the Fair at 4:40 p.m.
*Stevens Point Pick Up Times
:00 Comfort Suites
:15 Econo Lodge Inn & Suites
:20 Dunham’s Sports
:25 Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center
:40 The Energy Fair
NEW THIS YEAR:
Friday and Saturday: Shuttles will not be running from 2:00 p.m. – 5:40 p.m.
Sunday: Shuttles will not be running from 11:00 a.m. – 1:40 p.m
The final shuttle on Sunday will leave the Fair at exactly 4:40 p.m.; there will be no other transportation from the Fair to the hotels provided after this time. Please plan accordingly.
Back 40 Campground Shuttle
Camping at the Back 40? Leave your car and take our free shuttle to The 2019 Fair! It runs every 15 minutes Friday-Sunday during these approximate times:
Friday and Saturday
7:15 a.m.–11:40 p.m.
Sunday
7:15 a.m.–4:15 p.m.
Interested in riding your bike to The Energy Fair? The Energy Fair is a comfortable ride from Stevens Point or Amherst. Download the Amherst bike route here. Download the Stevens Point bike route here. Alternative routes from Stevens point on google maps here and here. Contact us at 715-592-6595 for group bike rides to The Fair! Bike rental is available in Stevens Point through Nature Treks at 715-254-0247.
Travel by Rideshare
Rideshare Options
Sign up for a group carpool by either joining or riding for The 31st Anniversary Energy Fair, June 26-28, 2020! No login or accounts required. Click here to see how to use groupcarpool.com.
You can also visit WI’s RIDESHARE program available online. WI’s RIDESHARE program brings commuters together, and is a free service provided by the State of WI. RIDESHARE serves all of WI and the bordering counties in other 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.
Please no pets at The Energy Fair! 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, close to 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
Thanks to our Gigawatt, Megawatt, and Kilowatt Sponsors
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