With high gas and energy prices hitting everyone’s wallets hard, many people are looking for alternatives.

And there was no better place for them to be Saturday than in the Town of Custer, for the Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s Energy Fair.

In its’ nineteenth year, the fair brought in more than 250 exhibitors and about 20,000 visitors by its’ end Sunday Night.

Event organizers say the record setting number of attendees is no surprise.

Amy Heart, Programs Director for the MREA says, “I think its’ because people are just more interested, there’s more awareness about our energy prices and climate change, so (they’re) wanting to get more information behind the headlines and getting those resources for how they can act today and prepare for the future.”

Several high profile speakers were also at the Energy Fair Saturday.
Jim Hightower, a populist author and radio commentator for National Public Radio, was among those speakers who drew in rather large crowds at the event.