Six Sun Day events across Ohio to celebrate clean energy

From Coast to Coast: Thousands Unite to Demonstrate that Clean Energy is Ready Now

On September 21, Save Ohio Parks and Third Act Ohio will participate in Sun Day, a nationwide mobilization that marks a pivotal moment in America’s clean energy transformation. Spearheaded by renowned environmental activist Bill McKibben, this nationwide event will feature hundreds of events across all 50 states, creating a powerful, coordinated day of action to spotlight the most significant energy revolution of our time.

Ohio will host six Sun Day events in Athens, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Middlefield, and Yellow Springs. Find a full listing with contact information below.

Sun Day will celebrate the unstoppable rise of clean energy and the movement to leave fossil fuels behind. Timed with the fall equinox — a moment of transition — we’ll come together to showcase the power of the sun and wind, the energy sources that can power our world without pollution or profiteering.

Sun Day aims to push back against fossil fuel industry disinformation and lobbying and demonstrate the existing overwhelming public support for accelerating the transition to renewable energy. The movement emphasizes that the biggest barrier to clean energy is political, not technological.

“For decades we’ve called this stuff ‘alternative energy.’ We want to drive home the point that that’s not true any more — this is the straightforward, common-sense, obvious way to power our future, the cheapest way to drive down electric prices, the easiest way to build a working America,” said Bill McKibben, the driving force behind Sun Day and a pioneering voice in the climate movement. McKibben, co-founder of 350.org and a leading environmental author, has been instrumental in bringing global attention to climate change and the potential of renewable energy.

The day will demonstrate that clean energy isn’t a faroff dream, but is instead an immediate, practical solution to our current energy challenges that will bring down costs and improve reliability. 

“In Ohio we’re already seeing the incredible potential of Solar Energy. Ohio is one of the top states for solar production and is a leader in the Midwest. We want to spread the good news and let people know how they can benefit from the new energy economy whether it be farm fields of solar panels and crops or roof tops in neighborhoods,” says Mary Beth Naim a co-facilitator of Third Act Ohio. ”We are showing that solar is not just about the future, It’s powering the present,” Naim added.

The Ohio events are part of a larger national movement demonstrating that clean energy technologies are affordable, reliable, and ready to deploy at scale. According to Sun Day organizers, the United States added 50 gigawatts of solar power to the grid in 2024 — the most any energy source has added in two decades — enough to power 8.5 million homes.

Here is a listing of the Ohio Sun Day events:

Athens, Ohio, September 12-14, Paw Paw Festival
In honor of Sun Day, Third Act Ohio Athens volunteers will be tabling at the Ohio Pawpaw Festival – a fun-filled, educational community event celebrating one of America’s largest native tree fruits, the pawpaw. The Sun Day table will provide attendees with practical information on going solar with the help of not-for-profit partners ready to assist with attendees’ solar journey. Third Act volunteers will  also be spreading solar joy with fun family games and crafts. 
Contact: Judy Smucker, judykay5@gmail.com

Cleveland, Ohio, Saturday, September 20, 2025, Noon – 5 pm, Sunday, September 21, 2025, 
Noon – 5pm
In honor of Sun Day, Third Act Ohio and Save Ohio Parks will be tabling at the Tremont Arts & Cultural festival to bring attendees practical information on going solar with the help of not-for-profit partners ready to assist with attendees’ solar journey. Volunteers will also be spreading solar joy with fun family games and crafts.
Contact: Mary Beth Naim, mary.beth.naim@gmail.com

Middlefield, Ohio, 10 am – 5 pm, September 20, 2025, John’s Country Nursery, 15808 Old State Road
In honor of Sun Day, Third Act Ohio will be tabling at the Annual Honey Bee Festival to bring attendees practical information on going solar with the help of not-for-profit partners ready to assist with attendees solar journey. Third Act volunteers will  also be spreading solar joy with fun family games and crafts. 
Contact: Richard Coin, coin4377@gmail.com

Yellow Springs, Ohio, September 20, 2025, 10 am – 5 pm, Solar Powered Porchfest, On Porches of Residences
In honor of Sun Day, Third Act Ohio will be part of the annual Porchfest. Forty porches in Yellow Springs will host musical acts with at least half powered by solar. Third Act volunteers will be highlighting solar power at the event.
Contact: Ellis Jacobs, ejacobs767@gmail.com

Cincinnati, Ohio, September 21, 2025, 1 pm – 5 pm, Sun Day Song and Solar Festival, at the new Home of Cincinnati Public Radio, 2117 Dana Ave., Cincinnati OH 45207
In honor of Sun Day, Third Act Ohio will be hosting a Sun Day Song and Solar festival  featuring tabling by solar and environmental organizations, 5 musical performances, test driving of electric vehicles, solar arts & crafts activities for kids and snacks. Speakers and tabling will guide attendees on installing solar panels, using electric vehicles and advocating for community solar in Ohio.
Contact: Charles Stenken, cjstenken@gmail.com

Columbus, Ohio, September 21, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Corban Commons, an affordable senior apartment community with newly installed solar panels, 3426 Corban Commons Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
In honor of Sun Day, Third Act Ohio and Save Ohio Parks will co-host an information session and community celebration. The event will feature speakers on different Ohio-specific solar challenges and opportunities, including the potential for industrial-scale solar, agrivoltaics, and community solar legislation. In addition, local environmental groups will highlight opportunities to get involved, children can participate in art activities, and snacks will be provided.  Register here
Contact: Cathy Cowan Becker, becker.271@gmail.com