Festivals

Stonehenge Free Festival

In the UK, there are many new age travellers who are known as "hippies" to outsiders, but prefer to call themselves the Peace Convoy. They started the Free Festival at Stonehenge in 1974, especially Wally Hope, until the English Heritage legally banned the festival resulting in the Battle of the Beanfield in 1985.



Glastonbury Festival

With Stonehenge banned as a festival site new age travellers gather at the annual Glastonbury Festival to see hundreds of live dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other performances.a Others argue that it has now become too much of a commercial event, and instead opt for smaller festivals such as Beautiful Days or The Big Green Gathering. In 2005, Glastonbury festival covered 900 acres (3.6 km²) and attracted 150,000 people.

Oregon Country Fair

The Oregon Country Fair began in 1969 as a benefit for an alternative school. Currently, the three-day festival features hand-made crafts, educational displays and costumed entertainment in a wooded setting near Veneta, Oregon just west of Eugene. Each year the festival becomes the fourth largest city in the state.




Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

Held annually in Manchester, Tennessee, Bonnaroo has become a

tradition for many music fans, since its sold-out premiere in 2002. Approximately 70-80,000 attend Bonnaroo yearly. The festival producers have made investments in their property, constructing vast telecommunications networks, potable water supplies, sanitation facilities, and safety features such as first aid shelters for every 200-300 fans.

Burning Man

The Burning Man festival began in 1986 at a San Francisco beach party. Now an annual gathering, the event is held in the Black Rock Desert northeast of Reno, Nevada. Though few participants would accept the "hippie" label, Burning Man is a contemporary expression of alternative community in the same spirit as early hippie events. The gathering becomes a temporary city (36,500 occupants in 2005), with elaborate encampments, displays and many art cars.

10KLF

The 10,000 Lakes Festival is an annual three-day music festival in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Also referred to as '10KLF' (K for thousand, LF for Lakes Festival), the festival began in 2003. Attendance in 2006 was around 18,000. See www.10klf.com