Last Saturday inventors, tinkerers, energy specialists, green builders and even an Orcas Island-based national magazine gathered to swap clean energy tips, tricks and shop talk at the first ever Island EcoFest and Solar Science Fair. Emcee Ben Sheppard orchestrated a lineup of live musicians throughout the day.

Visitors got to check out a water wheel-powered spiral pump that shot water into the air, a solar panel-powered water pump, and a bicycle-powered blender pedaling out creamy fruit smoothies, courtesy of Center Island family Kent and Linda Schaefer and their son Ryan. Orcas science teacher Bret McFarland melted steel using a Fresnel solar lens, Sydney Scoffield showcased a sundial and OPALCO brought its solar-electric Nissan Leaf sedan.

At lunchtime, thanks to an appearance by the sun, three dueling solar cookers pitted their powers against cold hotdogs in a solar cooker cookoff.

“The recycled CD solar cooker [created with the help of Funhouse Ninja Camp day campers] was fun for a lot of folks,” said mastermind Eric Youngren. “We need to work on the efficiency of it.” He said a smaller cooker lined with mylar proved to be “a lot hotter,” cranking out sizzling dogs in three or four minutes.

Speakers included Youngren on “Island Home Economics,” Doug Poole on building and efficiency; Anne Bertino, Energy Services Specialist at OPALCO; Sharon Abreu and Michael Hurwicz; Joe Symons of NegaWatt Media; Michael Riordan on energy efficiency and LED technology; Chom and Chris Greacen, international renewable energy experts from Lopez, on net zero energy homes; Golda Moore and Mark Anderson, Whidbey Sun and Wind; George Post on solid waste; and Lana Hickman on solar science in nature. Jeremiah Sturk showcased his “trimetatron,” a “magnetic engine” still in the works.

Poole conducted an energy audit of the Funhouse building, with a blower test on the doors. Displays by the county conservation district, Sustainable Orcas Island, Lutz Tree Service, Lizanne Hennesy of Mialeentje upcycled clothing, Heather Wallace of Green Builder Magazine rounded out the show.

“It was a good cross section of businesses and organizations,” said Youngren. “It was just fun to get all those folks together; people connected who had never met each other. Our main goal was to have fun, and we did.” Next year he expects the festival will offer prizes to entice even more solar science project participation.