Second annual Summer Solstice Music Festival in Westport: What to know before you go

The summer solstice, the longest day of the year, will be here before you know it.

This year, the solstice will occur in the northern hemisphere on Thursday, June 20, at 4:50 p.m.

Why not turn the longest day of the year into a long weekend?

Even better: a long weekend filled with music, artisans, food, and more?

You can do that, with the second annual Summer Solstice Music Festival fundraiser in Westport.

As this event is geared toward fundraising for nature conservation and wellness education, there will be workshops that you can attend too.

Plus, there’s the possibility of camping.

Here’s what you need to know, before you go:

Ashley Gallagher and Jessica Howard on the grounds of the Heron Educational Center for the Human Spirit in Westport.
Ashley Gallagher and Jessica Howard on the grounds of the Heron Educational Center for the Human Spirit in Westport.

When is the Summer Solstice Music Festival?

The Heron Center and The Wicked Queer Puppet Theater present the second annual Summer Solstice Music Festival fundraiser from Friday, June 21, to Sunday, June 23.

It will be held rain or shine.

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Where will the festival be held?

It will be held at 179 Legacy Ln, Westport. Go all the way down, pass the gate, and follow the signs.

What’s planned for the festival?

There will be live music from local musicians, open mics, artisans, food vendors, yoga, educational workshops, classes, games, camping and more.

Special appearances include Hooly J. Chan, Ace McQuire, Acid Tabs, Justin Arena, Molly O’Leary, Sarah Donner, Secret Joy, Total Downer, Violet Grove, and more to be announced.

The Heron Educational Center for the Human Spirit in Westport grounds.
The Heron Educational Center for the Human Spirit in Westport grounds.

What is the fundraiser for?

To raise awareness towards environmental justice and serve as a fundraiser to support nature conservation, artist residencies, and wellness education, with the hope of providing a year-round educational facility in Westport.

“The Heron Center is an educational center for the human spirit,” a press release from The Heron Center about the festival said. “Since 2011, we have been leading unique multi-generational arts, cultural, wellness and nature-based services. Through our programs and within our space we foster wellness, creativity and sustainability.”

The Heron Center operates a 22-acre wildlife sanctuary and yoga center.

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Tickets to the Summer Solstice Music Festival

Tickets are now on sale, and they include options to camp for the weekend, or to purchase day passes.

Full festival pass with camping: $144 (limited to 50 tickets).

Full festival pass without camping: $88 (limited to 200 tickets).

Single concert passes are $33 per day.

Camping is $22 per night (if available).

Ticket access only: Camping for any/all nights; VIP set on Friday, June 21; Saturday, June 22, from 1 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, June 23, from 1 to 9 p.m.

Free access: Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Find tickets online at https://tinyurl.com/3mu2zhta.

How to access different experiences at the festival

There will be different experiences at the festival:

Shop food vendors, artisans, healing arts, henna art, and more.

Free access/pay from the heart: Sustainabubble; Recycling & Composting 101; drumming; yoga and meditation; plant ID walk; nature-based learning; open mics; art and activism; songwriting workshop; and games.

Full festival access: Live bands, songwriter rounds, fireside jams, VIP show, and camping.

Find more information about the festival

To learn more about the Summer Solstice Music Festival, visit www.theheronstudio.com.

Herald News/Taunton Daily Gazette copy editor and digital producer Kristina Fontes can be reached at [email protected]. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Herald News and Taunton Daily Gazette today.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Summer Solstice Music Festival 2024 June 21 to 23 in Westport