Self-Reliance EXPO in Denver

"Lack of planning on your part does not constitute and emergency on my part"
-bumper sticker

Here's an event I wish I could attend. I'm not aware of anything like it on the East Coast.
It's the Self Reliance Expo in Denver, CO Sept 16-17, 2011. Cost is $9 for adults.

Workshops include aquaponic gardening (my wife wants to try this in our living room), how to go solar, Red Cross Preparedness, the role of Vitamin Supplements in Food Storage, Solar Ovens, how to grow sprouts (we're still working on that, have failed several times), and understanding seeds.

You can follow the location of future Expo events on Facebook and Twitter but oddly the site does not support email registration for newsletters, etc. Hey event organizers, not everyone wants to use Facebook! I have an account but use it rarely. I don't trust Facebook.

Bottom Line

Years I participated in a Preparedness Expo sponsored by local churches. The presentations and booths were excellent but sadly the event was poorly attended. Please take the time to visit Preparedness events in your region- you'll be amazed at what you'll learn.

Preparedness Fairs

"Although prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it be postponed." - Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

A great way to learn about preparedness and learn about local resources is to attend a local preparedness fair. See for example this
http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/09/25/12671-preparedness-fair-preps-army-for-disasters/
Preparedness Fairs are a great way to check out equipment like water filters and learn new techniques for fire fighting, gardening, first aid, etc. Many fairs include activities for children so this can be an event for the entire family.

A few years ago my wife & I helped to organize a Preparedness Fair with responsibility for four booths. On the day of the event we were amazed at the quality and total number of booths on display. We were also dismayed at the lack of attendance. Like too many local fairs, there was no budget for ads on radio and newspaper; just local fliers posted at stores and businesses.

Bottom Line

Don't miss an opportunity to attend a Preparedness Fair in your area. The hard part is discovering them in advance and not the day after in the newspaper. Here are some ways to stay informed:

• sign up to be notified of town and county events via email
• subscribe to a community paper published locally
• check out community event calendars on the Internet