The Adelaide Hills event is back this weekend, featuring music, food and small businesses doing their bit for sustainable living.

This Sunday, eager cyclists and anyone keen on test riding an e-bike can charge up the hill to the Uraidla Sustainability Fair – lycra is optional.

The 20km trek is put on by E-Go Bike Hire and will start at Norwood Memorial Gardens Rotunda on The Parade and wind through the Adelaide Hills to the Uraidla fair. But make sure you have a ride home sorted, because the e-bike hire is a one-way trip.

“Ian, who runs it, will talk to everyone about e-bike ownership. It’s great if people are interested in owning an e-bike,” says Craig Jones, a Sustainability Fair volunteer organiser.

Active transport is just one way the fair gets visitors thinking about how they can be more eco-conscious in their everyday lives.

“Sustainability issues are an important thing,” Craig says.

“This fair is where people interested can connect with other like-minded people.”

This year’s keynote speaker is Professor Andrew Lowe, the director of the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute, who will discuss decarbonising energy, agriculture and gardens with a theme of hope and a focus on local solutions.

There is also a Sustainable Conversation program where guests have meaningful discussions with other environmental enthusiasts. Topics range from wicking beds and worm farms to aged care and voluntary assisted dying.

Community engagement, connection and celebration of the environment is core to the Uraidla Sustainability Fair

“We have a large variety of stalls all with the essence of sustainability, local artisans have a strong presence at the fair,” Craig says, with 60 per cent of the stalls returning from last year’s event.

A CityMag favourite from Salt Gang is the Hot Honey Crisp.

Salt Gang, a Hills favourite known for their chilli crisps, sauces and fermented food, is among the returning stallholders.

“We’ve been privileged to participate for the last few years and the fair is such a vibrant showcase of the Hills community,” Lucy Davies from Salt Gang says.

“The climate future can feel overwhelming, but events like the fair help foster diversity, authenticity, and inevitably, community resilience.

“There are so many small businesses made up of dedicated creative locals – you can feel their deep ties to the land we live on and their commitment to its longevity.”

Sustainable wares on sale will include everything from South Australian beeswax candles to handcrafted macrame pieces using locally sourced cord. Other stalls focus on upcycling and turning old beads and gems into new pieces of jewellery.

Food options will celebrate sustainable eating, foraging and growing food.

Chooroo Food, Gathered Bowl, and Woodlane Orchard offer whole-food lunches, while Hokey Pokey Stirling’s artisan ice creams and sorbets made with local organic milk and cream cater to those with a sweet tooth.

Of course, there will be reusable cutlery and sustainable packaging and Craig says to bring your reusable water bottle.

As for the day’s soundtrack? There’ll be performances from Adelaide Hills artists, Mt Kazoo Band, Uraidla Convert Band, High Purr and Aidan J Jones.

The Uraidla Sustainability Fair is on March 17 at the Uraidla Showgrounds from 10am – 4pm. Entry is free for children under 12 with tickets $5 for adults and $10 for families.