FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 19, 2025
Contact: Nicole Draina, ANCA Climate & Energy Communications Coordinator, [email protected].
Watts & Wheels: Clean Energy Celebration Set for September 27
Community Members Invited to Free Event at The Wild Center
Tupper Lake, N.Y. — Electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy enthusiasts are invited to Watts & Wheels, a free community event set for Saturday, September 27, 2025 at The Wild Center. Third Act Upstate NY, The Wild Center and the North Country Clean Energy Hub will co-host the second annual EV celebration to raise awareness about the benefits of electric vehicles, solar power, and other clean energy technologies.
The festivities will build on last year’s event, which drew over 1,600 people to The Wild Center. In alignment with National Drive Electric Month and Sun Day: a Grassroots Day of Action, the event aims to inspire residents to support a cleaner, more resilient future through actions that not only reduce carbon emissions and environmental pollution but also save money on energy bills.
“Everyone is welcome to this free community event,” said Leanne Favreau, Interpretative Programs Manager at The Wild Center. “Families should come have fun and learn all about the possibilities there are for a sustainable future. We want to show future generations all the innovative technologies that exist.”
Both indoor and outdoor areas of The Wild Center will be open and free for all during this event. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their complimentary ticket online. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk to local EV owners and experts showcasing their vehicles and visit with community organizations focused on solar power and other clean energy technologies. There will be many family-friendly activities, such as an electric school bus tour, live music, a smoothie bike, and “solar bugs.”
Andy Foster, Clean Energy & Climate Action Liaison for Third Act Upstate NY and board member with the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) — the regional economic development nonprofit that oversees the North Country Clean Energy Hub — said the event has expanded significantly since the inaugural Drive Electric Expo event last year.
“This year, Third Act has a nationwide call to action to celebrate and promote renewable energy, especially solar power,” Foster said. “Called Sun Day, it champions solar, wind and batteries as the cheapest form of power on the planet, lowering costs, creating new jobs, and strengthening our communities. This local event provides the perfect Sun Day opportunity to celebrate the North Country’s transition to a more sustainable future.”
The call to action encourages people to “make the sun rise on our clean energy future.” In addition to Watts & Wheels programming, Third Act Upstate NY will display a special Sun Day Wool tapestry during the event. Fiber artists from across New York State contributed individual elements to the tapestry that hold their own meaning, including pieces that were knit, crocheted, woven, felted, quilted and more. The pieces will be combined to form a collective work that visualizes and celebrates the sun’s power at the center of the global transition to clean, renewable energy.
All are welcome to attend the festivities at The Wild Center from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Programming will showcase inventive technology and engaging exhibits that promote the adoption of clean energy technologies in our region. Organizers aim to make the event an interactive experience for all attendees. There will be many opportunities to explore the grounds, learn about clean energy, and connect with industry experts.
Jill Henck, ANCA Climate & Energy Program Director, encourages people to learn about and celebrate the North Country’s ongoing transition to clean energy. “This is a community-driven event celebrating innovation, sustainability, and our shared goal to build a cleaner future for our region. Coming together for an event like this shows the power we have as a community to make our goals a reality.”
To learn more visit www.wildcenter.org/wattsandwheels. EV owners interested in showcasing a vehicle, as well as companies and organizations interested in exhibiting or sponsoring, are invited to register on the website.
Attached: two (2) photos, courtesy of ANCA
Caption: Exhibitors at the 2024 North Country Drive Electric Expo engage with community members at The Wild Center.
The North Country Clean Energy Hub is a team of organizations, funded by NYSERDA, working to support people and businesses in adopting clean energy technology, utilizing energy efficiency programs, and finding jobs in the clean energy industry. These initiatives can save money, make homes healthier, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Hub is led by the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) with partners including Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County, and SUNY Canton WCIP.
ANCA is an independent, nonprofit corporation with a transformational approach to building prosperity across northern New York. Using innovative strategies for food systems, clean energy, small businesses, and equity and inclusion, ANCA delivers targeted interventions that create and sustain wealth and value in local communities.
Third Act Upstate NY is the local chapter of Third Act, a nationwide volunteer network of engaged elders working to advance the rapid buildout of clean renewable energy, including expanded rooftop and community solar and other renewable energy programs.
The Wild Center invites visitors to discover the story of the Adirondacks, and to explore new ways that people and nature can thrive in the same place. Located in Tupper Lake, NY, The Wild Center uses science-based experiences, exhibits and programs to open new ways to look into the relationship that people have with nature and to promote environmental best practices. The Wild Center’s reimagined experience utilizes Wild Walk and its largely outdoor 115-acre campus.
