Hippiefest 2008

“No shit Ben, I could go to Hippiefest if I didn’t have to work on your little project. I made a promise and I’m keeping it. If we don’t get your truck fixed today, you’ll wait for next week” said N.F. as he put his tools back in the pick up. “Oh man, look…I don’t know what to do…Becky wants to go, RJ said he would go, and its less than half hour away…we could knock this out in an hour and still be ready to roll” Ben said looking at his truck.

“We’ll see” said N.F. as he slammed the hood down on Ben’s truck. “Start it” said N.F. to Ben as he started the International. The truck started and purred like a tiger, rumbling perfectly. “I should take it out for a test drive N.F. to see how it handles. “So much for going to Woodstock for Hippiefest”, said N.F., walking to his pick up and getting in.

“I’m going home. RJ should be there when I get there. Talk to me later Ben,” N.F. took off pissed and disgusted. Ben wasted N.F.’s time on a truck he won’t even use for another week let alone today. It is a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, about 5 hours from the start of Hippiefest. N.F. wants to get away from Ben and Becky as fast as he can, a keg of Heineken awaits him at home.

Marty and Pennelopie (old couple in their 50’s), friends of Ms. Elly were hanging out with me waiting for N.F. to return. Marty brought his guitar and was playing tunes down by the firepit. N.F. got back talked to Elly, took a shower and crashed. Becky showed up an hour later with tickets to Hippiefest. N.F. told me and Elly to go without him, he wouldn’t go unless he drove or I drove. N.F. said, “RJ, you sure you wanna drive?”

“Sure, (Elly had the dogs wake up N.F.) why not.” We took two cars, N.F., Elly, Ben and Becky were with me, Marty and Pennelopie followed us. Bethel Woods is a beautiful place, in Bethel, N.Y. on the property that was once Max Yasgur’s plowing field, aka “Woodstock”. We got there before the start of the show and checked out what Senator Clinton wanted taxpayers to invest in. It is a really nice place.

Nearly 2,000 acres of trees and rustic old New York State farmland had a really special vibe about it. It was a place you could get naked and streak, make love under a blanket or just chill. It took on the usual cosmopolitan feel of a landmark when we got to the museum. But the museum was cool, among the exhibits that got me were the photos of Woodstock that never made it to magazines or newspapers.

Among the displays were the “Magic Bus” and I loved the 60’s Timeline display and the Civil Rights and the Rights Revolution display. But we didn’t stay long. To shorten this story we found ourselves at a wedding, two lovers who, young at heart, couldn’t hide the fact they were in their 60’s (neither could Melanie Safka or Eric Burdon). “I can’t believe N.F. man, RJ you believe what he pulled off.” “Shut up Ben and go with it.”


N.F., looked the part, light brown salt and pepper graying hair, Charlie Manson facial features, with his hair pulled back into a pony tail reminiscent of the hippie’s of the 60’s. N.F. had the long moustache, civil war sideburns and Malcom X sunglasses to finish of his total 60’s look. N.F. looked like an icon of the counterculture revolution and really fit the scene and feel of Woodstock (thing is he looks like that every day).

As the wedding of Tom and Lea started the maid of honor wore a tiara of flowers as Norman Greenbaum’s, “Spirit in the Sky” drifted from the stage speakers and filled the site with sound bringing a ‘groovy vibe’ to the whole scene. There was barbeque and other goodies being served. Jack Bruce of Cream and the Animals did some tunes and then got into jeans and sat on the lawn with the rest of us.

It was kind of awesome the partly sunny sky turned into a light rain as the groom read his vows as the retired old Judge did his thing. It was kind of romantic to see Tom giving Lea a long kiss in the gentle rain. The spirit of the 60’s was alive and real and age didn’t mean a thing, kids (teens, 20’s and 30’s to me) were caught up in the groove and the happenings were really a gas, the chicks in tie dye and tight jeans were awesome, dig?

Flo and Eddie (Turtles) were way to busy crackin’ jokes, I would have liked to hear more music from them though. Melanie sounded great for a broad that was a teen 40 some years ago and her son was really good on guitar. Jack Bruce and Eric Burdon took over the show in the last half and it was great. What was cool was all of us, the crowd, band and backstagers singing “Happy Together” with the Turtles.

As we got back to the house we kept our own little Woodstock going with Marty playing guitar and having a sing-a-long. Ben was hyper and a bit anal retentive as Becky got loose and had fun dancing by the fire, singing and having a good time.


“N.F. tell Becky to behave.” “Stop freakin’ Ben, un-tighten your ass, if you can’t get into what Marty’s layin’ down, get your old lady, get to the crib and get laid, otherwise leave her here and flake out…DIG! N.F. then took a long swallow of ice cold brew as Ben looked confused.


I looked at Ben and said, “the 60’s were a time of peace and love, seems to me you were born way too late. Next time leave the uniform at home.” “I’m not wearing my uniform, RJ.” N.F. said “Take a hit of this and chill Ben…maybe then you’ll get it. Dig.”

RJ