<p>John Christian of Portland shows Fred and Fran Hisaw of Prineville his new electric vehicle, a Nissan Leaf.</p>

JOHN DAY – Workshops, displays, movies and more at the 2011 SolWest Renewable Energy Fair exuded the theme, “Traditional Skills, New Technology, a Plentiful Life.”

About 1,500 visitors from near and far came to the Grant County Fairgrounds July 29-31.

There were a variety of classes, from Basics of Solar Electricity, and Solar Hot Water Theory and Design to Raising Backyard Chickens, and Cold Weather Gardening – plus dozens of others, including workshops for children.

Philip Ackerman-Leist of Vermont, a homesteader, farmer and college professor, presented a well-attended keynote speech on reclaiming work, reinventing necessity and rediscovering practical skills.

Author of “Up Tunket Road,” he noted that renewable energy is creating a greater need for skill sets such as electrical and plumbing. He also encouraged his audience to consider “the energy that you have to put into certain renewable technologies – when do you get the return on investment energy?”

Inside the fairgrounds pavilion, vendors displayed their energy-efficient wares, including a popular solar cellphone charger from Solar LED Innovations and StoveTec cookstoves which operate on very little wood fuel. A bookstore had hundreds of choices.

Outside, solar, electric and aerodynamic cars were on show.

Gene Schudlich of Templeton, Calif., drove his “Aero-Geo” 800 miles to the fair, stopping to refuel just once. On his T-shirt was written “134,” indicating the miles per gallon his aerodynamically transformed Geo Metro gives him.

He noted that just about anyone can change their car as he did.

Keeping the car’s standard engine, he used materials from a salvage yard, including aluminum for the top, to create a lighter, more aerodynamic design.

John Christian of Portland brought his new Nissan Leaf electric vehicle (EV), stopping at several charging stations along the way – a full seven hour charge can take him 105 miles. He won Best Green Car at the fair.

Of particular interest, was the building of an outdoor cob oven which stands in front of the John Day Community Garden. A group of 10 joined Kiko Denzer of Blodgett in the project, spending more than eight hours Friday and Saturday getting their hands – and feet – dirty as they mixed up and applied mud for the construction.

The oven will be used to make everything from pizzas, which bake in 60-90 seconds, to bread and cookies.

Denzer’s wife, Hannah Field, also presented a workshop on naturally leavened sourdough bread.

Organizer Jennifer Barker said EORenew had the best Sunday attendance in the 13-year history of SolWest.

“Sunday was hopping!” she said.

Barker noted that people came from as far away as New York and Mexico to attend the fair which she says is the only event of its kind in the Northwest.

“SolWest would like to thank all the local volunteers who helped make the event a success,” she said. “SolWest is already looking towards next year’s event, which will take place July 27-29, 2012.”