Cantine Field was the place to be on Saturday, August 3 for the continuation of a months-long celebration marking the 30th anniversary of the Woodstock festival in August 1994. Eight bands took to the stage during the day, four of which played at Woodstock ’94. There were food trucks, other food vendors and local vendors with homemade items. Children and adults enjoyed the great music and food.
There were quite a few attendees at Saturday’s event who were at Winston Farm where Woodstock ’94 was held. They wore their souvenir T-shirts and hats and reminisced about the musicians and the rain downpours and mud people which became a symbol of the festival. There was one gentleman who just looked like he was at the original Woodstock festival in 1969 at Max Yasgur’s farm in Bethel. Not only was he there, but he was the drummer for Jimi Hendrix during the last set on stage! This photojournalist got to meet a woman named Ms Robin Blue who was living in New York City in1969 and she got a ride to Bethel and a backstage pass from Carlos Santana. Since then, she’s attended every Woodstock festival anniversary ever held with her daughter and granddaughter.
Sponsored by the Saugerties Chamber of Commerce, the Woodstock ’94 celebration is taking place in local venues in Saugerties and features music, art, photographs and all things Woodstock ’94.
Upcoming celebration events include:
• August 10 — Woodstock ’94 photo exhibition featuring works by Nancy Donskoj at The Sketchbook, 9 Jane Street. Opening reception August 10, 3-6 p.m. The exhibit runs through August 31. Free.
• August 12 — Professor Louie and the Crowmatix concert and video on Woodstock ’94 by Tobe Carey at the Orpheum Theater. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 at https://www.upstatefilms.org/woodstock-94-30th-anniversary-saugerties.
• August 13 and 14 — Tie dye days. Everyone is asked to dress in tie dye while roaming around the village. Discounts at select shops, restaurants and bars where the sign “Tie Dyes Welcomed Here” appear. Free.
• August 14 — Wear your tie dye and come to the trivia contest at The Partition, with live music by Finding Alice. Trivia contest starts at 6 p.m. with prizes. Free.
• August 15 — Enjoy storytelling about Woodstock ’94 from those who were there, followed by live music by the X&Y Experience at The Partition. Trivia starts at 6 p.m., music at 7:30 p.m. Free.
• August 16 — A celebration of Woodstock ’94 with videos and featuring performances by The Willi Armond Band and Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones at the Partition. Starts at 7 p.m. Free.
• August 16 — Gallery opening at Opus 40 of a collection of photographs of Woodstock ’94 by renowned photographers Albert Watson, Danny Clinch, Cheryl Dunn and Henry Diltz. The exhibit runs through September 17. Reception and preview from 5:30-7:30 p.m. RSVP required at https://opus40.org/event/woodstock-94-show/. Free.
• August 17 — Special concert featuring The Paul Luke Band and Joey Eppard at Opus 40. Tickets are $20 adv./$25 gate at https://opus40.org/event/woodstock-94-celebration-with-paul-luke-band-joey-eppard/.
• August 17 — Music in the village at Reis parking lot featuring Roadhouse 1-4 p.m. Free.
• August 18 — Music in the village at Reis parking lot featuring The Willi Amrod Band and The Jay Collins Band 2-5 p.m. Free.
For additional information, go to www.woodstock94celebration.com.