National Plug-In Day in Sarasota

[NigelM]

Some details about National Plug-In Day here.

In Sarasota we're tentatively planning an EV meet downtown at Five-Points Park with media and some presentations followed by a silent EV parade to electrify St Armands Circle (TBC) for a couple of hours expo. Various groups will be involved, the whole thing is being supported by Plug-In America and the local Sierra Club as well as the city of Sarasota.

Note it for your calendars on Sunday, September 23rd and check back here for more details over the coming months. If you're willing to bring your EV, especially if it's a new Model S(!) please contact myself, Larry or Ken Stokes, and be prepared to have lots of people taking pictures.

[Larry Chanin]

National Plug In Day is set for Sunday, September 23, 2012.

It is an unprecedented nationwide observance drawing global attention to the environmental, economic and other benefits of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs).

In Sarasota this event has adopted the tag line of "Electrify the Circle".
Forum member Ken Stokes is the City Captain in charge of organizing this Sarasota event.

All local EV supporters are encouraged to attend the festivities.

We are also looking for local owners of Plug-In vehicles to participate in the EV silent parade and display their cars.

Here are the details:

9:00am EVs stage at Five Points Park in Downtown Sarasota along Central Ave & 1st St.

10:00am - 10:30am Mayor's Proclamation and Awards Ceremony

10:30am - 11:00am EV Silent Parade over Ringling Bridge

11:00am - 3:00pm EV Expo "Electrify the Circle" at St. Armands Circle (Owner's EVs on display in the circle)

11:00am - 3:00pm Free EV Rides & Drives by local car dealerships (Filmore Parking Lot at St. Armands Circle)


Chargers are located near Five Points Park and portable chargers will be provided at St. Armands Circle. (Bring your charging cords)

An event flyer and map is attached to this posting. Charger locations are displayed on the map.

We have parking for 34 EVs. Those interested in guaranteeing a spot in the parade should contact Ken Ken.stokes@earthlink.net or me lfchanin@verizon.net as soon as possible.


We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Sarasota.

Larry

[Larry Chanin]

We were just informed that Tesla will be bringing a Performance Model S to this event!


So far we have over 30 plug-in EVs signed-up to participate in the silent parade and display at St. Armands Circle.

I'm attaching a revised version of the flyer that has better contact information and another copy of the event map.

Feel free to forward them to people you think might be interested.

Larry

[NigelM]

Plenty of reports coming in the next day or two I'm sure. Great to see various TMC members there!

Here's the press gallery http://galleries.ticketsarasota.com/...om/2913658.jpg

And news story http://www.heraldtribune.com/article...al-Plug-In-Day

[Larry Chanin]

We had a fantastic event!



As City Captain of the event, TMC member Ken Stokes worked tirelessly to organize Sarasota's first National Plug In Day and everything went off flawlessly.


Ken Stokes addressing the crowd of EV enthusiasts.


About 50 Plug In EVs participated in our silent parade.

Nigel led the procession in his Roadster. The Mayor of Sarasota was riding shotgun with him. Following him was Alex Thompson, TMC member Jordan Thompson's son driving Jordan's Roadster. One of our County Commissioners was riding shotgun with him. (Alex and Jordan traveled all the way from the Space Coast to support our event.) Car number three was a White Performance Model S that Tesla was kind enough to haul over from the East Coast store. It goes without saying those were my personal favorites, but we did have a nice selection of other plug in EVs.


The silent parade was led by Teslas. Starting with Nigel's Glacier Blue Roadster, followed by Jordan's Brilliant Yellow Roadster and then the White Performance Model S.





Of course we had more than Teslas. We had a ton of Chevy Volts, more than two dozen, several Nissan Leafs, some Fisker Karmas, a couple of Mitsubishi i-MiEVs. a CODA, a Wheego Life, an assortment of electric motorcycles, bicycles, cars and truck conversions.


Pics of people taking pics of Model S's...

Larry

[NigelM]

Pictures from the parade staging area and onto the expo:

[Larry Chanin]

Great photos Nigel. Thanks!

Larry

PS I particularly like the photo of the fedgling photogragher.

[Larry Chanin]

National plug in day celebrates electric cars and their benefits


Electric cars roll out for National Plug In Day

Here's a local cable TV video:

SNN: St. Armond Electric Car Expo

Contrary to the caption on the video the first gentleman speaking was Chris Sharek, the coordinator of the Expo portion of the event. The second gentleman speaking was Brian Hanrahan, a FPL representative.

[Larry Chanin]

SarasotaPatch:

PHOTOS: Electrify The Circle EV Expo

[NigelM]

Video of the (very quiet) parade: