More On Hope Mountain Barter Faire
Annette McGee Rasch, 05.10.2006 00:06
A story about Hope Mountain Barter Faire - provides summary of doings, logistics and philosophy. The gathering is a gas gas gas -- definately one of the coolest things Takilma does. There's already ALOT of people camped out there, and more volunteers to help set up thursday (all day) and Friday morning will be welcomed!
BARTER FAIRE RETURNS TO TAKILMA:
earthfriendly goods, music, food and fun
Organizers of a unique colorful benefit warmly invite the public to join the Dome School community and experience the forth-annual Hope Mountain Barter Faire, taking place October 6 to 8th. The event has moved back home to Takilma, on Page Creek Road. Gates will open at 10:00 AM on Friday and close each night at 10:00.
“The event creates a safe family friendly village that everyone is welcome to join – for a few hours or for all three days,” said Willow Swenson, Dome School mom.
Modeled after ancient traditions, the Barter Faire provides a place for people to gather to share stories and information, trade skills and wares, dance, sing, play and celebrate.
“The Hope Mountain Barter Faire represents a dormant seed that many people carried for years that has finally come to fruition,” said organizer Stacey Williams. “Held in fall, our gathering seeks to bridge communities together before winter settles in - to make new friends and connect with old friends,” she said.
The Barter Faire raises funds to benefit the Takilma based Dome School, currently celebrating its 31st year.
“The Dome School needs the whole community to thrive,” said Susan Gustafson, Dome School Co-administrator. This belief manifests daily at the Dome School as the whole operation relies heavily on parent and community involvement.
According to Cathy Zook, the other Dome School Co-administrator, “Our emphasis on the collective process establishes an educational environment that nurtures self-image and further encourages social and emotion development.”
Also, in a time where many public schools are losing music and art programs, the Dome School remains committed to providing quality guidance for its students in these important areas.
Dome School students also gain a solid academic foundation - one example being that during the last ten years, six of the Illinois Valley High School valedictorians were Dome School alumni.
The Barter Faire is a large event that well illustrates the effectiveness of informal Networking. For example, the organizing committee does not actively solicit musical Acts. Instead, musicians desiring to perform make contact and get plugged in.
Local musical acts will include “Organic Sound Machine”, the “Frankie Hernandez Band” and “Montana Soul.” Groups coming from outside the area include “Ida Viper”, “Human and the Humans” and singer songwriter Diane Patterson.
The opening ceremony on Friday will be provided by the locally based Native-American “Elk Thunder Drum and the Eagle & Raven Dancers”.
The faire encourages people from all religions, viewpoints or political persuasions to come together and help enhance positive growth within Takilma, the greater Illinois Valley community and outward.
Scheduled workshops are geared toward maintaining healthy life styles as well as learning new skills. Topics include: permaculture, communication skills, crafts, singing, tai-chi, qigong, hiking, Bach flower remedies and more.
“Many additional workshops and open forums happen spontaneously, as people with skills, ideas and visions for the future simply come forward and share,” said Dome School teacher Catherine Roncalio. “The whole event is based on cooperation.”
“Kids Village” presents a magical atmosphere and a wide array of captivating activities. One highlight is the “Kids Village Annual Parade”. Held on Sunday, the imaginative presentation empowers all the children involved.
Kids Village can use more of the following items: beads, buttons, baskets, rope, feathers, shells, cookie tins, pipe cleaners, squash, pumpkins, lumber and white sheets.
Goods from individuals and businesses as well as thousands of hours of labor and services are donated to the event. The spirit of this volunteerism is evident throughout the entire weekend, as volunteers work shifts in Kids Village, the kitchen, recycling and clean-up crews, front gate, security, first aid and parking.
Historically, everyone who pitches in has a great time: And scientific research confirms that volunteers live healthier, happier lives.
A campground area is offered but participants must bring all necessary gear and water.
Barter Faire attendants are encouraged to bring their own dishes, and remember that regarding waste; if you pack it in, you must pack it back out.
Overall, the Barter Faire endeavors to promote commerce and lifestyle choices that do not exploit Earth or its inhabitants. Thus the event is almost fully “zero-waste” and homegrown wholesome organic foods and handcrafted items are offered in great variety.
Another ancient tradition featured at the Barter Faire is story telling. Aggie Pilgrim, oldest surviving elder of the Takelma Nation said, “This touches my heart. I am comforted that once again, people might wander by the fire circle at night, at the base of Hope Mountain, and hear someone tell the Takelma Creation Story.”
Aggie related how the native Takelma People, who inhabited this place for millennia, believed that members of the “Sky Nation” sometimes decided to visit Earth, and would do so in the form of “Dal-dal”, the Dragonfly, who was the early transformer of this land.
The story relates that in the beginning, this was a scary place to live because there were so many earthquakes and fires, and the winds blew strongly; whipping the trees back and forth among terrific thunder and lightening. The Takelma People were frightened by all this, and prayed for help from the Sky Nation.
Answering their prayers, the Creator came back to Earth as a giant Dal-Dal, and told all the People to climb onto the huge dragonfly spirit-body presented before them. Up, up, up, they all flew, following the river to the top of Hope Mountain.
Dal-dal dropped the People off and told them to follow the water back down to the springs. At those springs they would find everything they needed: shelter, fish, berries, game and sweet water.
But before flying away, Dal-dal said, “Hope Mountain will take of you – so you must take care of Hope Mountain.”
The fee for the entire weekend is $30.00, and a day pass for $10.00 includes all activities and music. Children under 18 are admitted free, but must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please, no weapons, drugs, alcohol or dogs. For more information on camping, vending, volunteering or anything else, please call 592-4458.