Newcomers Welcome

On Thursday evening, we'll be hosting a Newcomers Welcome; A chance for new folks to become familiar with everything about the Gathering including meeting our team members, learning to get around the park, getting the opportunity to ask questions, and more.

Whether you're attending the Gathering for the first time, or you've been coming for years, you're all welcome to join us for this activity. 

Folks who've attended in the past are encouraged to attend and share your perspectives and experiences!

Banners in the Feast Hall

Everyone is invited to bring a group or personal banner, if you have one, to hang from the beams in the Feast Hall.  This has become a long-standing tradition that gets cooler every year.  Some folks have created banners specifically for this event!  ShadowGrove and the Wilder Grove have one -- join the fun and help bring the Feast Hall to life!

Empowering Rituals

Ritual is central to the paths that many of us follow.  While the familiarity and intimacy we find in our own personal or group practice can have a profound and lasting effect in our lives, it's also important to gather in Sacred Space with others of like mind and good heart to share in the power and energy we can raise together.

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The rituals at Fertile Ground Gathering are designed to work as a thematic arc that spans the entire event from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon.  Each ritual builds upon the last, and creates a magical, and immersive ritual experience.  Combined with the workshops that follow the event theme, these rituals offer our guests the opportunity for an even more profound and spiritual journey than ever before. 

This year, we invite you to come and speak your truth, sing your song, tell your story, and add your own voice to the chorus as we shape the magic of the coming year.

Cook-out Lunch

On Friday afternoon, we host a cook-out lunch in The Commons.  Lunch will include burgers and hot dogs, picnic sides, fruit and salad, as well as vegetarian options.  

We invite you to bring camp chairs or picnic blankets for your comfort.  And you're also welcome to bring lawn games to play together as well.*


* Please note that park regulations prohibit us from inserting items into the ground.  Please only bring games that can be played without the use of stakes or other in-ground objects.  Thank you.  

Board Games in the Feast Hall

If you prefer to stay inside after the evening meals, you are welcome to gather in the Feast Hall to play board games!  There will be some games available throughout the Gathering, and you're welcome to bring some to share as well.  Bring games everyone knows, or introduce something new!

Bonfires & Drum Circles

Friday and Saturday Night Drum Circles facilitated by Mark Sawasky

Mark facilitates drum circles that fully engage all participants, from beginners to advanced drummers and musicians, while creating a strong sense of community. His approach is to teach simple, accessible rhythms that people can play along with, add on to, and even solo from. 

Playing rhythmic patterns for an extended amount of time helps each person relax, connect with the collective heartbeat, and find their own place in the circle. In Time, the drum circle will find its groove and evolve into a beautiful, unified piece of music with multiple voices.

Helping Hands

At Fertile Ground Gathering, we ask that all participants volunteer an hour of their time to help with things that need to be maintained, cleaned, transported, arranged, etc.  Working together is part of what makes this event so successful and helps to keep our community positive.

We are grateful to you for your cooperation, and for your willingness to keep the Gathering a positive sacred space.

Welcome Altar

When you arrive, we invite you to stop at the Welcome Altar.  There you will be able to take a moment to breathe, center yourself, ground, and release anything that might hold you back from fully immersing yourself at the Gathering. 

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Leave your worldly cares on the altar so you can step into the Sacred Work of the weekend, and prepare yourself for this immersive experience.

Rune and Swedish Card Readings with Jane Sibley

During the Gathering, Jane Sibley will be offering a variety of divination techniques including Runestick Readings and Swedish Card Readings.

She will be available at the Feast Hall throughout the event when she is not teaching a workshop.

If you would like to have a divination session with Jane, please sign up with her.

Not sure which type of reading you want? Ask Jane which one would be best for your needs.

Connecting

The strength of the Pagan community is built by those who wish to work together to move us forward; learning from one another, supporting each other, and helping to make the whole community better than the sum of its parts.  At Fertile Ground Gathering, we are committed to fostering connections that last years beyond.  And we look forward to continuing that trend; helping to create more opportunities for acceptance and understanding of the paths we follow.

Family Lawn Games!

During the Cook-out Lunch, we'll have plenty of lawn games available for everyone to enjoy!  From Giant Jenga to Cornhole and Bocce, there'll be lots of ways to have fun! 

You're also welcome to bring lawn games to play together as well.*

* Please note that park regulations prohibit us from inserting items into the ground.  Please only bring games that can be played without the use of stakes or other in-ground objects.  Thank you.  

NEW! The Commons Vendor Market

New this year, we're delighted to introduce The Commons Vendor Market!

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The Commons Vendor Market will take place on Saturday May 2nd from 11am to 4pm and will feature curated vendors, and service providers tailored to enhance your experience at this year's Gathering!

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If you would like to apply to be one of the vendors at this year's market, click here.

Authors Table

We are fortunate to host several amazing authors among our special guest presenters, and many of them bring their books with them for sale.  These books are set up in the Feast Hall for the entire weekend.  We hope you'll visit the Authors Table this year!