This is sacred ground.
Tucked away on pristine farmland, about 30 miles away from Honesdale in
New York State is a sparkling amphitheater that means more to people than
just seeing a summer concert.
The Bethel Woods Center for the Arts has established itself as a premier
concert venue.
The views of the countryside are beyond picturesque. The parking is easy
to enter and depart as opposed to other venues and the facilities are
first rate.
This place deserves a visit. Even just for history’s sake.
As the site for the legendary Woodstock Music Festival in August 1969, the
venue pays tribute to its heritage with a museum that captures the spirit
of a generation and a music festival that will burn in our memories for a
lifetime.
Bethel Woods is now wrapping up its fifth season of performances and it’s
been quite a summer.
The venue featured numerous top-notch acts throughout the summer: Ringo
Starr and his All-Starr Band, the return of Santana for the first time since playing Woodstock, Sting with an orchestra, Yes with Peter Frampton, Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon, The Moody Blues, the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Train, Brooks & Dunn, a bluegrass festival, a Rock ‘n’ Roll Extravaganza, the Rascal Flatts and Crosby, Stills and Nash.
That’s quite a slate of acts with various musical backgrounds. But Bethel Woods is just more than a summer concert shed.
This is a place that touts itself as a year-round venue.
It features a movie schedule during the fall, a wine festival, a harvest
festival and Event Gallery Concerts featuring Dar Williams, Ramblin’ Jack
Elliott, Marc Cohn, Rhett Miller, Los Lonely Boys and Leon Redbone.
Throw in a speaker series of photojournalists who covered the Vietnam War
and the museum and great gift shop offering everything Wooodstock and this
is a place to spend a day.
Or many days.
The grounds feature the Great Lawn, Cafe, Pavilion and a monument marking
the Woodstock Festival and the 1969 stage location.
More people need to visit this magical place and feel the vibe of peace
and love that these grounds offer.
The artists who play here — especially the ones who performed at
Woodstock like Santana and Crosby, Stills and Nash — know the value of
this site.
The fact that this legendary land was saved and turned into suuch a venue
is credit to the people of Sullivan County, who recognized that they had a
jewel that needed some polishing.
