The 26th annual Ancient Ways Festival - How it all works This is a Pre-Registration only event.
Upon Registration you will be emailed (or snail mailed) info on how to get to the site.
When you arrive on site, you will be welcomed in and we expect to bestow a small ritual on you to enter into the spirit of the village.
The center of our village is the kitchen and dining area next to the Guest house. The Guest house building is reserved for our use with the first aid area, and indoor space. The building has one restroom, with showers outside of it, and a carpeted inner room with a small kitchen. (The bathroom may be set aside for First Aid use, but there are additional portapots in the area.) This area may also be used for workshops. In front of the porch of the building is an area for the talent show and performances, since it makes an ampitheather. There will be a large children's tent in the Lower center area. There are a very few trailers that can be used by our less mobile community members. Stone City is a long ways from stores, so please bring all you will need. However, we will likely have a few town runs.
There will not be a sign-up board for community work, however everyone registered for the festival is expected to do one hour of some community work for each night at the festival in order to make the event run smoothly. (Except people only coming for Saturday night.) Please be responsible to our community and do your share. The kitchen area is outside the Guest house and will be a community effort again. Be prepared to pitch in and help.
Things to Bring: You will want to bring camping gear, bedding, flashlight, towels, water flask (and Gatorade), sleeping pad, tent (if desired), tarps, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Be prepared for cold and damp nights (extra blankets, ground cloths and warm clothes) and hot days (hats and sunscreen). Bring kids and good energy, but do not bring pets, candles, drugs or clothing that could be ruined by stickers. Costumes and banners will make things more beautiful in our village. Bring along your musical instruments, especially drums this year. Bring utensils, bowls, plates, cups, food, coolers, camp stove and something for the stone soup if you are partaking of it. Bring a canteen or water container and be sure to drink plenty of water while there. Alcohol is permitted at the festival, but in moderatio, of course.
Magical Market: Sellers booths and camp sites will be near the fork in the road before reaching the Guest house. Vendors, please bring your own tables and seek advice from the Vendor Co-ordinator. Vendors must not set-up with out location approval.
Workshops: There will be a sign‑up board at the Guest house for workshops. We have many experienced teachers; please bring something to teach or a subject you want to talk about. We try to have a balance of classes from introductory to advanced. A general workshop program will be at the festival. Several sites are available for workshops. If you send us your workshop description we can post a list of the workshops on the website.
Fires: This year we will be dealing with hot weather, but cooler than last year we hope. There is often extreme fire danger around Livermore from May to October. Flashlights will be needed for walking at night especially this year with the waning moon. Because of fire danger, no candles, open flames, or incense are allowed, except under close supervision. Smoking is permitted ONLY a designated location or in a car. Smoking in cars may be safe, but please no smoking in the bushes. Camp stoves will be allowed only beside the Guest house. Fire rules will be enforced.
The Festival Committee
Glenn Turner is the general Festival organizer, and all around buck stopper. Others on the committee this year (2009) areTina Beachy, Mandy Shull, Zoe Kunstadeter, Teri Davis. Mandy Shull is events programmer. Our First Aid for the festival is by volunteers. If you have pre-existing health needs, please let us know about them after you check in.
Many thanks to last year's (2008) committee - Christa Osier, Holly Turner, Wynter Stiles, Morgan Weise,Teri Davis, Zoe, Chris and more.