(Photo by Julie O’Connor)
Every day’s a holiday somewhere, and September 8 to 16 is officially designated National Drive Electric Week. Across the nation, 248 celebrations including events in Kingston, Poughkeepsie and Gardiner will encourage walking, biking, public transit and energy efficiency, while showcasing diverse plug-in electric vehicles (EVs).
New Paltz will mark the occasion this Saturday, September 15 with a Zero Emissions Parade (ZEP) for pedestrians, bicyclists, EVs, e-bikes and perhaps an e-tractor or e-mower, all heading out from the Middle School at 11 a.m. A Green Vendor Fair will follow at Village Hall until 3 p.m. Attendees can test drive electric cars and speak with EV drivers, energy efficiency and renewables advocates and experts.
Speakers will address the fair crowd beginning at 12:40 p.m., including Ulster County executive Michael Hein, county legislator/Catskill Mountainkeeper senior research director Kathy Nolan, Village of New Paltz mayor Tim Rogers, Town of New Paltz supervisor Neil Bettez and Town Rosendale councilwoman/Citizens for Local Power director/New York State Senate candidate Jen Metzger. There will also be live music by Tin Horn Uprising, a performance by the New Paltz Dance Team and activities for kids, including a bicycle-decorating contest with prizes from the Bicycle Depot and wildlife education from Eric the Reptile Guy.
ZEP is organized by the New Paltz Climate Action Coalition and New Paltz Climate Smart Communities and co-sponsored by Catskill Mountainkeeper, New Yorkers for Clean Power and Protecting Our Waters. To find out more, visit www.newpaltzclimateaction.org or https://driveelectricweek.org.
Zero Emissions Parade & Green Vendor Fair, Saturday, Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Free. Parade starts at New Paltz Middle School, 2 South Manheim Blvd. Green Vendor Fair is at New Paltz Village Hall, 25 Plattekill Ave., www.newpaltzclimateaction.org.