Rainbow Gathering Attracts Locals to This Year's Washington State Location

Deep in the Gifford Pinchot Forest, tens of thousands of people held hands in a large mountain meadow after a morning of silence. Without assigned leaders or hierarchy, they started harmonizing an impressive 'Om' as a prayer for peace. When a children's parade bursted onto the scene full of color and music, the adults followed suit. The wave of merriment stretched for miles and eventually enveloped everyone in hugs, laughter and dancing.

It's not your typical 4th of July celebration, but for many it's 'Home.' The Annual Rainbow Gathering takes place in different locales nationwide from July 1 to 7 and this year it came to Washington State.

“Rainbow Gatherings attract a diverse crowd of people, (from)...caring, ecologically aware, insightful, amazing people (to some of the) dirtiest and most belligerent," said Tacoma resident Amir Shawn.

Because of the location's proximity, Pierce County residents from as far as Dieringer were scattered through the crowd. They even set up their own camp, affectionately called Cuddle Muddle Puddle.

Since the first gathering in 1972, the Rainbow Family has been creating a culture which can truly be called a successful social experiment. Without registration fees or staff or rules, a crowd as numerous as the City of Puyallup crams into one square mile. Together they create kitchens, stages and campsites, leave sensitive areas relatively protected -- and it all works. In many ways, it's a dream culture come true. Everyone is fed plenty. People 'work' only when and how they like. Mothers and children are always prioritized. Any conflicts are solved with compassion.

At the kitchen 'Popcorner', which serves popcorn all night long, a man named Wade said, “I can do regular workdays out there (not at the gathering) and feel totally drained. But I can easily do 20-hour days here and be energized, while having a totally awesome time.” Many of Wade's friends who help with the kitchen couldn't come this year, but he arrived with the equipment anyway and as he says “people just join in to make it happen, it's really that easy.”

People show up with a purpose too: peace. Though parties go 24-hours, there were also an abundance of kitchen camps focused on religious faiths. 'Om Shalom' had a Friday-night Shabbat ceremony. 'Chai Bahai' served tasty hot beverages with informational displays. 'Bread of Life' and 'Jesus Kitchen' were the two largest Christian camps, conveniently located near the 'Lewdist Temple.' In so much diversity, everyone gets along.

A typical daily schedule might look something like this:

• Wake with the sound of laughter and 'Om'ing, get breakfast of potatoes and eggs at 'Kid Village.'
• Wander over to 'Yoga Meadow' for some morning stretches and then attend a plant walk at 'Green Path.'
• Volunteer to dig a latrine and make new friends doing it, get a lunch together at 'Crucial Kitchen' of rice, beans, and veggies.
• Head to 'Dundun Village' for African drumming and see friends across the creek at 'Medicine Warriors' doing some clothing-optional sun-bathing.
• Go to main circle for announcements and dinner along with 2,000 of your new friends.
• Change clothes! It's a cold night. Find a few friends and wander over to 'Popcorner' for treats and then the 'Granola Funk' stage for a hilarious showing of “Rainbow the Musical”
• Late night is time for campfire hopping (music, free-style, stories, you have it) on your way to 'Lovin' Oven' for some hot pastries.
• Greet the dawn with delicious soul music around the fire of 'Dream Reality'.

Whether it's 'hug duels,' 'random pocket trades' or a flashlight-toting person picking up nightblind 'hithchikers,' the focus was on connection to one another. Even traffic jams on the way in and out of the Rainbow Gathering were highlighted by introductions, music-making and friendly snowball fights.

“I wish life could be like this all the time," said Wade.