Dear Friends,
Here we are again at the Autumn Equinox, one of two days per year when the hours of light and dark are equal, OH and the TIME FOR another BARTER FEST! Can’t think of a better way for us to get together to share and celebrate the fruits of our labor. Why go through all the work to have a barter fest? Honestly for me hosting a festival like this is a great excuse to get old friends together, while creating an opportunity to make new ones! After the first year in 2010, we couldn’t believe the incredible energy that radiated from this place after the event. In a way, Barter Fest has become a power plant of positive energy that resonates through out the year. It is SO empowering to come together with a group of independent humans to celebrate all that we have to offer each other!
Barter Fest was inspired by the founding fathers and mothers of Hewitt. Like most communities in Minnesota, there was a lack of paper currency floating around when the first pioneers arrived. These were hard working, unique, creative people that landed here and I can definitely see why they chose to set up camp in this beautiful place. The early settlers traded their hard work, talents and know how, while building solid communities of interdependent relationships. Barter Fest aims to rekindle this community resilience, but on a regional scale.
So what’s happening this year? For the fourth year in a row, Barter Fest will kick off with the 10billionbeats.com global peace drumming. This hour long drumming will take place in the downtown Hewitt park, Friday September 20th from 7 – 8 pm. If you show up early on Friday you will have a chance to find the best camping spot, get settled in and if you’re willing: WE CAN ALWAYS USE your HELP! This year does promise to be a bit different. Rather than schedule wonderful performers like prior years: https://soundcloud.com/abandoned-scout-camp, we decided to try an open mic performance format for 2013. Many attendees to Barter Fest are writers, musicians and other gifted folk, so we thought why not trade songs, talents and stories? Who’s gonna get something for a song?!
The bartering will begin at 10 am on Saturday and the celebration spills over into the night. Once again, this event is sponsored by the City of Hewitt and Hewitt Lions club and as always the Lions will be peddling their “Ranger” burgers and fresh cut fries. If you have frequented Barter Fest before, you will know to dress warm= I’m talking about long underwear warm! Traditionally, for whatever reason, the festival has fallen on a clear, but brisk autumn day. Is it really free, what’s the catch? Yes, Barter Fest is free to attend, free to park, free to barter and free to camp (REALLY, there’s no catch). The camp sites are not sponsored by the City or festival, but have been offered up by neighbors to the Abandoned Scout Camp and down by the river, so just ask around if your looking for a place to pitch a tent. Can I sell my goods at Barter Fest? Yes, all that we ask is that you are open to bartering your goods, but of course YOU may DECIDE to trade for paper. How do I barter? No two barters are ever alike. Bartering presents a creative opportunity with every transaction. Often bartering will involve more than just two individuals. It’s best not to limit your imagination by being told how to barter. I recommend just giving it a try! Hope to see you in Hewitt!
Peaceful wishes,
Michael
P.S. the Hewitt Museum will be open from 12 to 4 pm during Barter Fest: Â http://hewitthistoricalsociety.weebly.comÂ