TRR photo by Tom Kane Green Party Candidate William Brenner next to the Green Party sign. (Click for larger image)

By TOM KANE

BETHEL - Crowds of old hippies, new younger versions and members of the Green Party stormed into the former Max Yasgur Farm last weekend and so did the rain.

With the mixture of rain, mud, celebration and politics, the Woodstock celebration gave birth to a new creation called "Greenstock."

"We're going to do this every year and make it a tradition," said Jeryl Abramson, co-owner of the farm with her husband Roy Howard. "We have a lot of work to do to change the political atmosphere of this country and this is one way to start." Abramson and Howard organized the festival despite a court injunction by the Town of Bethel against large gatherings. "You don't need a permit when you're holding a political rally and this is a political rally," Abramson said.

	TRR photo by Tom Kane A car is stuck in the mud at the Yasgur Farm celebration. (Click for larger image)

Throughout Saturday and Sunday, Green Party members conducted caucuses, mixed in with the music, on issues they consider vital to their campaign including getting Ralph Nader elected president, gay rights, women's rights, the environment, corporate welfare and other subjects.

On Saturday morning when downpours began, party leaders considered postponing the assembly because of the noise of the heavy rain in the barn where they were doing business. "We decided to stay and find a loud speaker so speakers could be heard over the storm noises," said Donald Hickok, New York State coordinator for the party.

Steven Gaskin came from Tennessee to attend the Green Party assembly held four times a year. A longtime party member, Gaskin said the party was attempting to elect Ralph Nader and get five percent of the national vote. "If we can get the five percent, then we don't have to get petitions to be on the ballot next election," he said. "We'd be on the ballot of every state."

"We're putting together our first elected state committee that will be elected on September 12 at the primary," said Craig Seeman, Green Party elections coordinator. "The party will still maintain its present assembly structure while at the same time form state committees."

"We will pick a different location for our assembly next time," Hickok said. "We will, however, maintain a presence at the Yasgur Farm gathering each year because it is a grass roots event and not a corporate creation."

	TRR photo by Tom Kane People of all ages and from all walks of life turned out for the wet event. (Click for larger image)

Sullivan County's only Green Party candidate, William Brenner, who is running against State Assemblyman Jake Gunther, was not endorsed by the Green Party but will appear on the ballot on the party line because he received a sufficient number of signatures from Greens. He will also appear on the Republican line by petition even though he did not receive that party's nomination.

Not everybody was interested in politics at the festival, however. Blue Hallock from Woodstock, NY comes to the festival every year. "I was at the first Woodstock and wouldn't miss it," she said.

Victor Lee and Sonya Talbert from South Carolina came to get married. They exchanged their vows on the main stage before the music began at 12:00 noon on Saturday.

Cathy Largent from East Texas came to have a good time. Largent said she has been following the blue grass festivals up and down the country. "This was one I was told I shouldn't miss," she said.

For two days, from 12 noon to 2:00 a.m., the crowds were entertained on two stages by Country Joe MacDonald, Tommy Jack, Bob Hill, John Stein, Stir Fried, Kate MacLeod, the Slobodovians and the Guttersnipes.