WIND TURBINE DAY
Press Release

   As you look across the rural Thumb at the vast farm land in Oliver Township , Elkton , Michigan , you will see the new crop that was planted on the land in 2007.  Wind Turbines.  As the crop grew on the farm land, the fall harvest was in the form of “Wind Energy”, renewable energy for years to come.  This has beautified the look of the landscape with the addition of 32 active wind turbines.  These turbines each are capable of producing 1.65 megawatts of electricity, for a total project capacity of 52.8 megawatts.  Or in other words, producing enough electricity to supply more that 15,000 Michigan homes.  This farm, Harvest Wind Farm, would be the first commercial wind farm in the state of Michigan .  This wind farm was developed and is owned by John Deere Wind Energy.

   Looking to the Southeast about twenty miles away, a second farm, Michigan Wind 1, sprang up in 2008 in the Ubly area.  This farm, which is also owned by John Deere Wind, hosts 46 wind turbines, making it the largest wind farm in Michigan . 

   To date over 22,000 acres of land have been leased from land owners for wind energy in the thumb.  These leases will ensure that farm land will remain farm land.  Michigan ’s thumb is said to have optimal cross winds which flow between Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay .  That is why this area is the best place in Michigan for wind harvest. 

   The Elkton Chamber saw an opportunity to capitalize on the “Green” energy and started an annual one day education festival which draws tourists from several states as well as from all over Michigan.  With America pushing “Green” everyone is curious as to how these turbines look, sound and work.  The public is starving for information. 

   This event is a jam packed day of family fun and entertainment mixed with “green” education.  Including guided tours thru the wind farm on busses.  A 5K walk/run thru the turbines.  Bicycle tours of various lengths riding thru the wind turbine farms.  Free viewing of the movie Kilowatt Ours.  A market place including business owners, educational displays and vendors.  Sidewalk sales and town wide garage sales.

   The children can come and enjoy many free things during the day including blow ups to play on, crafts to make, kites to fly and much, much more. 

   Other events include a Softball tournament held in Ackerman Memorial Park , Mud Volleyball held in the Motoplex and Bingo held downtown sponsored by the Elkton Lions Club.  Guest speakers will be talking to the community from Veterans Park on “Green” energy.  The local fire hall will be open with the fire department and our local ambulance displaying their state of the art equipment.  Most of the events are located downtown Elkton, and can be viewed while listening to the “Free” music of “CC Gold”, a live band. 

   Join the Elkton Chamber of Commerce for Wind Turbine Day, July 18, 2009 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.  For more information visit www.elktonchamber.com or call 989-551-PARK (7275).