Mystical World Wide Web Glastonbury Festival
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The Glastonbury Festival is officially described as "A Festival of the
Performing Arts" and it should be pointed out that it is NOT held in Glastonbury town. Everything from rock and pop, to juggling, performance, divination, standup comedy and more. It aims never to be mainstream. The first festival took place in 1970, and retains much of the New Age, alternative lifestyle, and environmental/ecological issues that were there at the first festival.
Glastonbury Festivals Ltd. is a charitable organisation and makes no profit. Raising money in the past to such worthy causes including Greenpeace, Oxfam and Water Aid. The festival has grown in size over the years, gaining more and more media interest, and has become a cult event to talk about and go to. With approximately 1000 performances over the three days including 500 acts playing on 17 stages together with a multitude of other entertainment including theatre, cabaret, poetry, crafts, circus performances, cinema, comedy and a children's adventure play area with educational workshops.
The 600 acre site where the festival takes place is located on the edge of Pilton village off the A361 between Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury in the beautiful Somerset Levels. Gates usually open 9am the Wednesday before the event. Locals refer to it as the Pilton Festival.
An extra 45 acres of camping space, with additional space, with additional facilities to accomodate increases in attendance, special link-ups with National Express Coaches and the rail operators to develop "Greener Ways to Glastonbury" have been developed over the years so why not beat the queues and leave your car at home? The festival itself is held on the grounds of Worthy Farm, in Pilton, between Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet, in the beautiful Somerset Levels. 160 acres of farmland are turned into an estate of tents, caravans and stalls all of which arrive along with their owners during the duration (3-5 days) of the festival. Have respect for the grounds and surrounding countryside. Sound and video recording equipment is PROHIBITED unless written permission is obtained directly from the organisers. Arriving at the GatesIf you get tickets for friends it is essential to hand them over before you arrive at the festival. Do not expect to be able to meet at the gate. Having your ticket ready to show at the gate helps enormously, but, don't give it to anyone even if they look like stewards until you reach the pedestrian turnstiles at the security fence. Keep your ticket secure - many festival goers prize them higher than King Athur's sword Excalibur. Please trust the passout system, and make sure that you understand and comply with whatever system is being operated on the day especially if you exit the grounds and plan to return.Plan aheadArrange to meet friends at a sensible place (not the mixing desk)! Best spot is the Festival's Meeting Point. The concept of Time mysteriously disappears at the Festival - so be prepared to wait for friends. Lost children will be cared for in the Children's area until the field closes, after which they are taken to Welfare at the Wagonshed. Disorientation easily sets in even to the most hardened. If you get lost, try leaving a message at any or all of the information points.Where is Somerset?Somerset is in the West Country, which is located in the south western part of England (UK). The M5 motorway runs north-south, right through the the very heart of the county. For more details checkout our Festival Travel section.When is it?The official dates are from Friday June. Early birds will start turning up on the Wednesday to get a good spot, most leaving by Monday.
Who goes?If you're a free spirit, and you want to have fun, then the Glastonbury Festival is the place for you. All ages attend (mainly people who are young spiritually and/or at heart) and interests are varied, from musicians to cybertechs through to ecology minded people, all with the same aims, unity and community and lots of fun. (Children who are 14 and under accompanied by responsible adults will be admitted free. People travel from all over the world to this now legendary festival. |
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