Midwest Hybridfest – July 22, 2006. Don’t Miss It!

Madison, Wisconsin
Saturday, July 22, 2006
9 am – 5 pm
Part of the Dane County Fair at the Alliant Energy Center

You are invited to join us for Midwest Hybridfest 2006 – A Hybrid Electric Car Show and More!
For more information, or to register, visit www.hybridfest.com.

BE a part of the Midwest’s largest event dedicated to the hybrid electric car.

LEARN everything you wanted to know about hybrid cars and a whole lot more!

SEE which hybrid cars and SUVs are on the market and take them for a test drive.

MEET hybrid owners and “talk shop”.

Yes, Hybridfest is about hybrid cars, but it is also a place for discussion of important issues such as climate change, air quality, and the need for sustainable transportation. Car dealers, environmental groups, vendors and others will be on hand to make Hybridfest a memorable experience.

Your $25 registration fee per car includes:
- Entry into the MPG competition
- Access to indoor technical hybrid presentations
- Hybrid car show entry
- Awards
- Discounted hotel rate
- Free Hybridfest t-shirt
- Free Hybridfest goodie bag
- Special discounted price for Dane County Fair Tickets
- Ice cream social for registrants who arrive Friday evening
Register for Hybridfest by July 12th to gain access to all of these special activities and benefits available only to Registered Attendees.

As a registered attendee you can also purchase a Boxed Lunch ($6 per person), and join us for the Awards Dinner ($15 per person, 6pm-8pm) with Keynote Speaker: David Morris, Vice President of the Institute for Local Self Reliance

Our goal is to gather at least 100 hybrid cars on site to show that hybrid cars are everywhere and come in all shapes, sizes and colors. You can help us reach that goal, while having fun!

Speakers will share their thoughts on topics ranging from "hypermiling" techniques to hacking into your hybrid. These sessions are more technical than the outdoor sessions and only available to Registered Attendees.

Expect to see a few of the Prius “Marathon Men” there, as well as, Mike Dabrowski, and other hybrid notables. (see the Hybridfest web site for a detailed list of speakers.)

Additional Hybridfest activities that are open to the general public at no charge include interactive exhibits, test drives, talking to other owners, vendor booths and music.

View one-of-a-kind vehicles like:
- The UW’s diesel hybrid electric Chevy Equinox (MOOlander)
- A fully functional EV1
- And maybe even a plug-in hybrid or two!

People from around the country are coming to Hybridfest so consider organizing your own “hybrid caravan” to the event. So far, states represented include West Virginia, Washington, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Minnesota, Illinois, Connecticut, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Whatever you do, do not miss Hybridfest!

For more information visit www.hybridfest.com

We would like to thank these generous sponsors for making Hybridfest possible:
--- Zimbrick Honda of Madison --- Smart Toyota
--- Gordie Boucher Lincoln Mercury --- General Motors
--- Johnson Controls, Inc. ---Hybridcars.com
--- Lexus of Madison --- Travelers Insurance
--- Wisconsin Ford Dealers --- Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire
--- International Crane Foundation --- Wisconsin Clean Cities
--- 40mpg.org --- Gordie Boucher Lincoln Mercury
--- hybricarstore.com --- Dark Side Ridez
--- The Radio Doctor --- Community Car
--- Coastaletech.com --- Four Lakes Group Sierra Club
-- GreenStar Homes

 

Well, Hybridfest is less than 2 months away! If you haven't already done so, now would be a good time to register. We have had to limit the MPG Challenge to the first 80 entries and after those slots are filled the rest of you will have to wait until next year to compete.

Some new seminar speakers have been added to the lineup. We should be announcing more about that in the next few weeks.

We are getting closer to the goal of 100 hybrids on site, but we're not there yet. So keep those registrations coming.

In the meantime if you have other comments or questions let us know!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CinciPrius @ May 24 2006, 07:15 PM) [snapback]260630[/snapback]</div>

The shirts aren't printed yet. We need to wait until closer to the event before printing them.
Basically it will be the Hybridfest 2006 logo on the front in color, with the sponsor names and logos ont he back.
(Got to hybridfest.com to see the logo)

The exterior of the goodie bag won't be anything special, but the contentes will include some fun swag. Hybridfest window cling, etc.

We hadn't thought about sending the stuff, but I suppose for cost of shipping/packing we could send it to you afterwards.

Of course we'd prefer you come and enjoy the fun!

Hope you can make it!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ May 29 2006, 07:07 PM) [snapback]262510[/snapback]</div>

I agree 100%! But since this is the first year of the event we wanted to make sure we weren't biting off more than we could chew. Given the overwhelming response from the community, next year Hybridfest will be expanded.

That said, I know that there are some unofficial activities going on Sunday morning and mid afternoon. Again, these aren't events we are planning, but we'll do our best to share what we know is going on.

- Some people who are staying at the hotel are getting together for breakfast at the hotel.

- Some may go out and re-reun the Hybridfest MPG Challenge course.

- There's group of Insight owners are getting together Sunday morning to hack into their battery management software. Opening up the battery area, splicing wire, soldering, etc. They are installing hardware which overrides the factory settings and allows them to manually control the charging and assist.

- A few others have mentioned a hybrid caravan up to Wollersheim Winery for a quick tour, taking a trip across the free Merrimac car ferry, and then grabbing lunch at Culver's Blue Spoon Cafe before getting back on their long drive home.

Hopefully more people will post their plans so that we can all join in the fun!

 

Well, I've got some Hybridfest updates for everyone.

- Hymotion has confirmed that they will be driving two Plug-In Prius to Hybridfest and will have them on display. Plus they will be giving a technical talk in the afternoon for those people who are registered.

- Saturn confirmed that Hybridfest will be the very first time consumers will be able to test drive the new Saturn VUE Green Line. Two will be available after signing the appropriate waivers, etc.

- Hybridfest will have every hybrid car that is available on the market. The final hold out was the GS 450h. We just got word that Toyota is sending a 450h to have on display. Although you won't be able to test drive it (dang!) at least it will be there to "experience".

- So far people are coming from 15 different states plus Canada. States represented include Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Tennesee, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Washington

- Everyone who registers before the 12th is going to love the goodie bags. We have had some fun donations from great organizations.

- One thing you will keep hearing me repeat is that WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS! The day of the show, please consider taking an hour or two to help out making things run smoothly. I guarantee it will be interesting and FUN! The planners have spent literally hundreds of hours making this event a reality, but we can't be everywhere at the festival. Take a look at the volunteer description list and start thinking about how you might help. We'll ask for your commitment soon.

- Dinner menu, your choice of:
HYBRIDFEST CHICKEN MARSALA
Sauteed Chicken Breast served over Linguinni
W/Marsala & Wild Mushroom sauce
Sauteed seasonal Vegetables
Tossed garden Salad
Dinner Rolls w/butter
Strawberry Shortcake
Coffee, Milk upon request
Ice water W/lemon wheels

HYBRIDFEST GRILLED SIRLOIN STEAK
Grilled Fillet of Sirloin Steak
Garlic & Herb Mashed Potatoes
Sauteed seasonal Vegetables
Tossed garden Salad
Dinner Rolls w/butter
Strawberry Shortcake
Coffee, Milk upon request
Ice water W/lemon wheels

HYBRIDFEST VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
Vegetarian Lasagna
Tossed garden Salad
Dinner Rolls w/butter
Strawberry Shortcake
Coffee, Milk upon request
Ice water W/lemon wheels

HYBRIDFEST KIDS MEAL
Chicken Fingers
Tator Tots
Fresh Fruit Garnish
Cookie
Milk
Ice water W/lemon wheels

- Lunch
Sandwich on a mini baguette
Turkey and Swiss cheese, Roast beef and cheddar cheese, Ham and cheddar cheese
or grilled vegetable
Individual bag of potato chips
Whole fresh fruit
Gourmet chocolate chip cookie
Choice of soda or bottled spring water

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 30 2006, 12:10 AM) [snapback]278985[/snapback]</div>

Ha, ha!
You're right! It's the GS 450h.
I'll make the change.

 

Tony,
The guys on CleanMPG.com have been doing a pretty good job of coordinating people that need rooms/roommates for Hybridfest.

Check over on their forums in the stickied Hybridfest post.