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Summer Solstice Party 2017

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81 in July

The summer solstice weather could not have been finer. 81, sunny, perfect river weather.

kerosene distribution

Post river, it was time to light the fire.

2017 solstice fire

Lighting

The fire was perfectly constructed by JC.

The moon was full.

Children of the fire

Thanks to all who came.

Perfect Weather Window for the 2016 Winter Solstice Party

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Cold and rainy weather was a real possibility during the winter solstice party. But a day that started with a coating of ice everywhere turned warmer and beautiful before the party started. The next day was rainy. So boy are we lucky!

Before (a fat one)

Before (a fat one)

The sunset was outstanding.

Impressionist evening

Impressionist evening

Impressionist Shenandoah

Impressionist Shenandoah

Party prep complete! Ready for the hard core solstice revelers. It’s way easier to come to the summer solstice!

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Newly resurfaced footbridge

Newly resurfaced footbridge

Tiki trail across the creek

Tiki trail across the creek

Get lit: Winter Solstice fire 2016

Get lit: Winter Solstice fire 2016

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After lighting, it was time for music. The music lasted all night, right up to 5am when the weather shifted and it started to sprinkle.

Music at the solstice

Music at the solstice

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We decided that due to rampant political disgust we would burn some flags. Real ones. This is a new thing. Thanks Trump.

Flag burning time

Flag burning time

Into the fire with you nazis!

Into the fire with you nazis!

Burn baby burn

Burn baby burn

And we’ve had it with racism too.

Flag two for the flames

Flag two for the flames

Down with racism

Down with racism

Burn baby burn

Burn baby burn

Warning: exuberant potty mouth host on a mission (with a nice buzz) in this video!

Then it was back to the keg of dogfish head 90 and the fantastic potluck dinner in the barn. Super fantastic.

TURN SUN TURN.

Thanks to all who came.

After

After

Turning the Sun 2016 (Summer Solstice)

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Before

Before

A gorgeous Virginia summer evening was just what the doctor ordered for the summer solstice party this year. Food, friends, fire, and all night music. Thanks to all who came.

This year featured lots of next gens (over 30) wandering the property. Needless to say, the keg ran dry around 3am. And they ate ALL of the cookies.

So orderly

So orderly

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Absinthe hour ran from 4:45-6:15. We were ushered to bed by the blue.

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(Special thanks to Micheal Hobert for some of the photos above.)

Winter Solstice Fire 2015

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Winter Solstice Fire 2015

Winter Solstice Fire 2015

It all started out with champagne, celebrating Team Tartan’s 2015 Leukemia Cup accomplishment with a crop of Timex watches. (About which this.)

bubbles

bubbles

Burn barrel before the lighting

Burn barrel before the lighting

Then it got dark, the keg was tapped, the cheesy xmas music was put on infinite repeat in the barn, burn barrels were lit, and off we went! Early birds got to see the bonfire lighting. Middle birds got to see music and sparkling guitars. Late birds shut down the bar inside with Berryville Passages at 6am. Are we too old for this? No we are not.

Fire

Fire

Who let the banjo player in?

Who let the banjo player in?

Fire too

Fire too

Thanks to one and all for coming! We turned the sun around again!

Two Modes of Summer Solstice Celebration

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The summer solstice river pod

The summer solstice river pod

2015 Summer Solstice Fire

2015 Summer Solstice Fire

Sometimes the Couch Must Burn

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Very late at night during a solstice party mysterious and inscrutable things happen. Like couch burning. And/or spontaneous song spouting. You never know.

Summer Solstice Sketches by Joel Winstead

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What a beautiful day Saturday turned out to be. The river was crystalline (and flowing fast), the beer was delicious, and the night was filled with fire and music. Joel Winstead captured the 2015 solstice party zeitgeist in some sketches.

The Shenandoah on the Solstice by Joel Winstead

The Shenandoah on the Solstice by Joel Winstead

Mr Pea on his usual perch (by Joel Winstead)

Mr Pea on his usual perch (by Joel Winstead)

Music by the solstice fire (by Joel Winstead)

Music by the solstice fire (by Joel Winstead)

Firelit at the solstice (by Joel Winstead)

Firelit at the solstice (by Joel Winstead)

Thanks for coming to the solstice party! Support local music; come hear Where’s Aubrey’s CD release concert this Friday at the Brightbox in Winchester.

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Solstice Fire 2014

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The longest night is over. We turned the sun again. Great solstice party, as ever, thanks to all of you. Of note this year, superior food in the random food pile and really tasty tunes by the fire.

I know, lets do it again!!

2014 winter solstice fire

2014 winter solstice fire

The night was still and cold, and the fire took a couple of minutes to get going. Jack took some video that was transformed into this time lapse.

lighting (starts small)

lighting (starts small)

Sadly, the keg was dead by 7:30?! It’s impossible to get the beer amount dialed in even after 11 years of practice. Oh well, there’s always bourbon.

Dogs Declare Solstice Fire Ready

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Puck sez "Fire ready to light"

Puck sez “Fire ready to light”

The solstice fire is ready. The weather report is improving (sorry cynthia). Time to turn the sun around!!

Spring-like day on the Shenandoah

Spring-like day on the Shenandoah

Sunlight begets fire light

Sunlight begets fire light

Before.

2014 fire

2014 fire

After (2013).

Electric Triangle

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In a new summer solstice twist, we put together an impromptu electric band. Gina Faber suggested we call ourselves “Electric Triangle,” which we did. We came up with set lists at 3:30pm the day of the party! Woo hoo.

Here is our rendition of Donnovan’s “Season of the Witch”

Electric Triangle ingredients include:
100% Where’s Aubrey
75% The Bitter Liberals
100% All Natural Fibers
100% Joehammed and the Acoustic Martyrs
Red dye number 5
Rum

We prevailed upon Allen Kitselman to play the Ghengis Angus song Rooster against his will.

The world famous staff of Electric Triangle:
Rhine Singleton, guitar/vocals
Clark Hansbarger, guitar/vocals
Allen Kitselman, guitar/vocals
Gary McGraw, violin/mandolin/vocals
Gina Faber, guitar/harmony/ELECTRIC TRIANGLE
Joe Faber, keys
Nick Schrenk, drums
Mike Aaron, bass

Here we are covering Radiohead’s “High and Dry”

Thanks to Jacob West for the video!

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