Woodstock Golden Anniversary

On August 15-18, 1969, over 450,000 people from across the country came together on Max Yasgur’s farm to participate in one of the pivotal events of the 1960s. They left as a community inspired to change the world through peace and love.

While I was only 11 at time, the music from the 60s was a large part of growing up. As I stood on the area where the stage was, I was deeply moved by a sense of peace and awe. I could imagine the throngs of people enjoying the music and the sense of community. I could hear my favorites playing in my head: Santana, Grateful Dead, Arlo Guthrie, Credence Clearwater, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, Blood Sweat and Tears, Joe Cocker, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, The Who. I was surprised to see that Sha Na Na was there.

While a part of me wished I could have been there myself, since I’m not very confortable in crowds, I was glad for the solitude of the cold and windy day to contemplate what it must have been like 50 years ago.