A Nation of Loners

In early 1969 a quartet of young promoters decided to stage a weekend rock festival in Woodstock, New York, two hours from the Big Apple. At first they figured on 25,000 fans. But as they lined up 27 acts for the August date, the projection grew. They were prepared—in food, sanitation, and medical facilities—for 150,000 people.

That turned out to be about a third of the total. Tickets were selling for $6 a head, but every hippie in the Northeast had heard about the big party, and by Friday, August 15, the roads to Woodstock were clogged with old Volkswagens crammed with scraggly-haired kids intent on three days of sex, drugs, and rock.

JS

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Joseph Sobran

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In early 1969 a quartet of young promoters decided to stage a weekend rock festival in Woodstock, New York, two hours from the Big Apple. At first they figured on 25,000 fans. But as they lined up 27 acts for the August date, the projection grew. They were prepared—in food, sanitation, and medical facilities—for 150,000 people.

That turned out to be about a third of the total. Tickets were selling for $6 a head, but every hippie in the Northeast had heard about the big party, and by Friday, August 15, the roads to Woodstock were clogged with old Volkswagens crammed with scraggly-haired kids intent on three days of sex, drugs, and rock.