ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
|
The Great Blue Heron Music Festival was first held in 1992. Our initial
motivation was the desire to host a Saturday afternoon
barbecue/gathering with Donna the Buffalo. But our
larger inspiration became the beautiful piece of land on which we stood
to plan the party. By the end of that first meeting.we had decided to
attempt a three-day event.
Located in the Amish-inhabited rolling hills of Western New York's
Chautauqua County, the site virtually planned the layout for us. The
main stage would fit nicely amid some pines at the foot of a naturally
amphitheatric, maple-shaded hillside. The many acres of woods and trails
seemed perfect for tent-campers, and we saw that adjacent fields could
accommodate those who preferred to attend in campers or RVs. As our
enthusiasm grew, we envisioned trucking in sand to create a beach
alongside a large pond, the land's signature feature.
As for performers, our experience in presenting local club shows had
established
relationships with many talented folks. As we contacted them with our
idea, many went for it; most for little or no monetary reward. They
included, along with ‘Donna’; Rusted Root, The Heartbeats, John & Mary,
Rasta Rafiki and the late Colorblind James.
The first Blue Heron, drew about 900 people, and while it was no great
financial success, the response by fans and everyone else involved,
encouraged us to try again. By our second year, we had added a huge
dance tent, along with performer-hosted music workshops, dance
instruction, and a full slate of children's activities. In subsequent
years, we added a songwriters' circle, cut new trails, and expanded our
food and merchandise layout.
As we grew, parking became a problem, with cars along the road
stretching to the horizon. Thanks to the neighbors, we added a huge
field to accommodate them. As time went on we cleared more land to house
those who preferred a quiet area, more removed from the center of
things. This was so well received that we recently acquired a beautiful
piece of land across the road, which has also become popular with the
fans, offering a spectacular overview of the festival.
As we prepare to enter our fifteenth year, we're grateful for the many
wonderful friends we've made, and proud of our reputation for
organization, safety and the opportunity to come together each year in
the spirit of community and harmony. But we'd be remiss in not
giving the lion's share of the credit to our hundreds of volunteers.
Where all those wonderful people came from that first year, we still
don't know. But not only are many of them still with us, they've been
joined by a lot more, bringing the total each year to well over 500.
Each year we have all come together to form a truly harmonious
community. The loyalty, enthusiasm and approval of all who have attended
has become our true inspiration.
| |
VEHICLE CAMPING |
Upper lot: $45 per vehicle / weekend
Lower Lot, Quiet Area, & Across The Road:
$35 per vehicle / weekend
Off Road Parking:
$5 per vehicle / day - $10 weekend
No Charge For Tent Camping
|
|
FEATURES & EVENTS |
OVER 100 PERFORMERS
MAIN STAGE
LARGE DANCE TENT
OLD-TIME JAMS
SONGWRITERS' CIRCLE
INSTRUMENTAL WORKSHOPS
(BRING YOUR INSTRUMENTS)
DRUM CIRCLES
DANCE INSTRUCTION
|
SQUARE & CONTRA DANCES
300+ ACRES IN THE AMISH COUNTRYSIDE
MARKED HIKING &
BIKING TRAILS
HUGE POND FOR
SUPERVISED SWIMMING
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
DOZENS OF FOOD &
MERCHANDISE VENDORS | |
THINGS TO REMEMBER
|
Gates open at 9:00am, Friday
(no public admittance before that time)
Music starts at about 3:00pm that day.
The festival ends at dusk on Sunday.
No camping will be allowed that night.
NO PETS - No Exceptions
Pet Boarding Choices:
Countryside Kennels 716-753-3180 Sadie Creek Kennels 814-489-6599 VanEarden's
716-355-6318 Dog Mom's 716-661-3344 KC Kennels 716-665-6264
NO FIREWORKS
No amplified music or loud behavior after midnight.
Failure to respect the peace & privacy of fellow campers will be cause for dismissal.
Due to NYS law, consumption of alcohol by those under 21 is prohibited. The festival must end by dusk on Sunday. No camping will be allowed that night.
NO GLASS CONTAINERS THIS YEAR, by the request of our recyclers.
The volume of glass that the festival generates has become near impossible
to handle. For one, it's very heavy and it breaks, both causing health
hazards. The greater problem is the lack of recycling avenues that fit our
values. We are sorting the glass and sending it to the landfill to be used
for cover. Our volumes are too big for the local redemption centers and too
small for the "big guys" to bother with. So most all the 5 cent deposits are
lost. We'd prefer to have you bring beverages in cans which we send to our
local redemption center and use for larger donations to charities.
PLEASE NOTE
Due to NYS law, consumption of alcohol by anyone under 21 is prohibited.
Due to liability and safety considerations, no one under the age of 18 can be admitted to the festival, unless accompanied by a parent or other adult who is willing to assume responsibility for them. We'd like to thank all of you who cooperated so well with this policy last year.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING FIREWOOD
The Emerald Ash Borer has caused regulatory agencies and the USDA to enforce quarantines (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland) and fines to prevent potentially infested ash trees, logs or firewood from moving out of areas where EAB occurs. This is a big deal. All the ash trees have been killed in Michigan and it's moving towards New York. When the authorities find the insect damage they make you cut down every ash tree within a mile radius of the infected tree. About a fourth of our trees are ash. We ask of our friends from these areas to NOT bring firewood to the festival. We have a firewood vendor onsite with reasonable prices and wheelbarrows to loan out. Clicking on the links below will display maps regarding areas of infection/quarantine.
EAB in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Maryland, & Ontario Canada
Ohio EAB Quarantine
All information correct as of 6/1/07 and subject to change without notice.
|
INQUIRIES OR CORRESPONDENCE
Great Blue Heron,
P.O. Box 791 Jamestown NY 14701
716/487-1781
gbhfest@netsync.net
| |
click here to download a map of the festival site
|
|
|
|
Home | Artists |
Details | Images |
Volunteers | Vendors |
Links
|
|
|
|
|