When I rolled in, I was immediately thrown off. This was my first time at Wisteria’s small little harvest season festival, Autumn Fires, being more adapted to the weeklong events of Wisteria Summer Solstice or Starwood, along with one of Wisteria’s other weekend event, Cornstalk, under my belt back in 2009. Where there is usually camping, there was now parking. Where there is usually merchants there now lay the tents. But that was an aspect I loved about this festival, too. While usually strongly community-based, there was an even stronger sense of community at this small gathering than the earlier festivals.
Disorientated by the setup, I propped up my tent where it seemed to be a good location and hoped I was right. After hanging out with Eric Cornwell, owner of UpCycle Bike Garage in Athens and another Wisteria volunteer, I came back to my campsite to discover the Palace, a center of activity and excitement, had set up nearby. It was while enjoying the company of the Palace that my day was truly made as two of my friends appeared. With the festival having been brought to their attention on such a short notice (I mentioned the festival the previous weekend, and they didn’t find out if they’d be going until the day before the event), I was thrilled when my tribe was able to make the festival, another friend and member of the tribe showing up later that night.
We hung out at the Palace until after dark, finally deciding to make a journey to the faery shrine without the use of lights.
Upon returning, it was straight to Paw Paw for the last night of Tent City jamming until next year. I stayed for awhile, eventually going to bed. I put on a second layer of socks, a third layer shirt, a jacket, gloves, and a toboggan, on top of being on top of a couple layers of blankets and snuggled up inside a sleeping bag. And it was all necessary. Friday was a cold night for camping, but worth it in the end.
Saturday was much warmer. I spent most of the day with my tribe, relaxing back at camp. Eventually I ended up helping a member of my tribe with tiki duty as we walked around the event site filling up the tiki canisters.
Later in the day, a feast was held featuring a freshly slaughtered and roasted pig in honor of a handfasting held earlier that day. The feast was followed by Wisteria’s volunteer coordinator calling all of the volunteers up on stage one by one to talk about each of us individually and give appreciation for our work throughout the festival season.
Afterwards, it was back off to the Palace where my tribe would end up putting together an even bigger grouping for a journey to the faery shrine in the dark before the firing of the clay pit, which would serve as the night’s main bonfire for drum and dance.
The following morning I was up in time for morning yoga, a festival feature I’ve only actually caught once before, regardless of always having it planned. Shortly following, it would be time to go around and give out hugs for the festival was drawing to a close. Never a goodbye be said, for we know our paths will cross again with stories to tell each other of the winter when next we gather.
And so it comes to an end, this year’s festival season at Wisteria. Just eight more months and we get to do it all again. It sure has been one hell of a season, though. I felt so excited to be back after missing the festivals last year. Over the course of this year’s festivities I’ve gotten to get to know old friends better, added some new friends to the list, and made some memories sure to last. But nevertheless, all things must come to an end so they may come again, and the time spent away makes the time spent at the community less likely to be taken for granted.
Until next year, love to you all.
