Saturday: Portola Valley, Woodside hold Earth Fair

With a theme of “Carbon: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” for the 2015 Portola Valley and Woodside Earth Fair on Saturday, March 28, it should be no surprise that cars that run on fuels not derived from fossilized carbon will be on display.

The fair is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at 521 Kings Mountain Road in Woodside on the grounds of the Mounted Patrol of San Mateo County. Cars planned for display with their hoods open are a Tesla, a factory-built electric BMW, and a vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, says fair organizer Jason Mendelson of Woodside’s Sustainability and Conservation Committee.

In keeping with the equestrian aspect of the location, the fair will include activities involving horses and horse-related matters, including horse manure and its uses in gardening, Mr. Mendelson says.

A team of vaulters doing gymnastics on horses’ backs is expected, he says. Connections will be drawn between horses and green lifestyles.

Both towns will honor one or more residents with environmental champion awards. It will be the first such award for Portola Valley and the 15th for Woodside, Mr. Mendelson says.

Woodside will be recognizing previous environmental champions, including Ollie Mayer and Debbie Mendelson in 2001, Howard Rathlesberger in 2002, Jeanne Dickey and Nancy Gonzalez in 2004, Carroll Ann Hodges and Shirley Weinman in 2006, Virginia Dare in 2008, Peggie MacLeod 2010 and Nancy Reyering in 2013.

Tickets, including a food voucher, are $10 in advance and will be available until Friday, March 27, at the town halls in Woodside and Portola Valley. At the gate, tickets will be $12.

By Dave Boyce

By Dave Boyce

By Dave Boyce