✶ Earthly Pleasures ✶

Fri July 12 - Sun July 14, 2024 ✶ Forest Fringe Farm in Bethel, NY

Earthly Pleasures is an artist-run social event for queer nature freaks. Think of it as an artist residency camping experience on a farm. The weekend is designed around human sensory emphasizing the aromas of the farm, the textures of our togetherness, and the sounds we join in making alongside the local species assemblies. Our hope is to draw focus on life's ordinary delights. Over the course of 3 days and 2 nights, we will take part in a range of offerings intended to encourage connection, expansion, and relaxation. Programming will include music (DJs), embodiment/mindfulness activations, creative workshops, fresh food from the garden and more.

    ✶ Field Guide

    • Off-Grid Realities

      Off-grid realities can be very stark. It is sweaty, hot, and buzzing with all kinds of sounds and smells. It is a lot of navigation and sensory information to take in all at once so please pay attention as we detail the lay of the land both prior to and during the event. It is important to stay hydrated and fed throughout the weekend.

    • Refunds & Early Departures

      There is no reason to suffer through the weekend. We will entertain refund requests for anyone who finds off-grid camping too challenging. If the experience becomes unmanageable, we will offer a refund and a ride to the Monticello Bus Terminal before 2pm on Saturday. This isn't an episode of Survivor. Take care of you first!

    • The Driveway Entrance & Parking

      The driveway is made of large loose gravel. Park alongside the edges of the driveway to make space for passing traffic. If you are unable to park on the driveway for any reason, you are welcome to park on the road in front of the farm. The driveway is the only entrance to the farm.

    • Animals, Critters & Wildlife

      The farm is inhabited by insects, mosquitoes, dragonflies, beetles, ants, ticks, deer, raccoons, possums, bunnies, bees, birds, and our small dog Charlie. It takes stamina and patience to acclimate to the intense animacy of it all. Be patient with yourself and all life forms.

    • Property Lines

      The edges of the property are marked by highlighter orange spray paint and flags on trees and bushes. Stay within the boundaries of the farm at all times. We will do a thorough walkthrough as you all arrive on Friday.

    • Trash, Recycling & Compost

      There is 1 trash can and 1 recycling bin next to The Cabin. All compost must be thrown in the compost pile in Wild Market. All food waste except for meat can be added to the compost pile. No food can be left in tents or at campsites. All snacks must be stored in The Cabin.
    Schedule

    ✶ How to pack, camp & travel:

    • ✶ Packing List

      • Headlamp, camp lanterns & extra solar lights
      • Bug spray & sunscreen
      • Reusable water bottle
      • Phone & batter banks or solar power kits
      • ID & Health Insurance Card
      • Sandals or water shoes, a bathing suit for, and towels showers
      • Comfortable hiking boots
      • Extra socks & underwear
      • Sunglasses, rain jacket, regular jacket or hoodie as well as 1-2 long sleeve shirts and pants as it gets chilly at night
      • Tent, tarp, sleeping bag, bedding, and pillows
      • Camp chairs & decorations
      • Personal First Aid Kit as well as prescription medications, Ibuprofen, EpiPens, (Multi)Vitamins, and 5-HTP
      • Ziploc/plastic bags for wet/muddy clothes
      • Ear plugs & sleeping masks
      • Natural shampoo, conditioner & soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lenses & solution, glasses, hand sanitizer & wipes
      • Travel mug for hot drinks & drinks with electrolytes like coconut water, Gatorade, etc. as well as packaged snacks: nuts, fruit, granola bars, etc.

    • ✶ Camping Need-to-knows

      Some are new and some are true to camping. In any case, we will do our best to provide the necessary information to camp as well as you can on the farm in either of our campsites. Space to pitch a tent will be marked by an orange flag and available on a first come, first serve basis. Car camping is not allowed so please be sure to bring your camping gear and equipment. Campsites do not have electricity, so be prepared to charge devices using personal battery banks and solar power kits.

    • ✶ Traveling to & from the farm

      1. Arrival: Please arrive on Friday after 2pm and before 8pm as dinner will be served at 7pm. If you are looking for a ride share, do so using the spreadsheet in the welcome email to coordinate with drivers. Ride shares are limited so plan accordingly. If you are taking the bus from Manhattan to Monticello, be sure to communicate your arrival time in advance for pick-up. You are also welcome to Uber/Lyft to the farm if you don't want to wait for a ride.
      2. Driveway Entrance: The Google Maps link to the Driveway Entrance is here. After parking and unloading, you will be guided to either campsite for set up.
      3. Parking: Parking is included in your ticket purchase. Hosts will be available to assist if needed.
      4. Departure: Departure will happen leisurely on Sunday by 4pm. Bus drop offs will be available Sunday at 1pm and 3pm.

    ✶ Facilities

    • The Cabin

      The Cabin has a water refill station as well as basic fixings to make tea and coffee. Hosts and facilitators will be working out of The Cabin to best serve you so please limit visits to The Cabin.

    • The Hex

      The Hex is a 6-sided human-scale deck in the forest where a bulk of the programming takes place. Keep The Hex clean by taking off your shoes before boarding. It is a lovely place to lay back and watch the stars at night.

    • Poop Palace

      Poop Palace is a new construction compost toilet and outhouse. Cover your waste with a very small amount of woodchips and throw your used toilet paper into the bin next to the toilet. Close the lid after use.

    • Open Air

      Open Air is an outdoor shower located on the front of The Cabin supplied by a 275 gallon water tank. Please limit showers to 3 minutes to ensure each person gets at least 1 shower.

    • Forest Fringe

      Forest Fringe is a campsite on the backside of the property in the forest.

    • Secret Garden

      Secret Garden is a secondary campsite in the middle of the farm backdropped by a grandmother tree.

    • Fallenwood

      Fallenwood is an outdoor stage and performance space made out of a fallen tree located on the east side of the forest dance floor. The DJ sets will take place here.

    • Wild Market

      Wild Market is the farm and the first feature you'll see after arriving at The Driveway Entrance. It is comprised of 2 covered farm fields, a hoop house, a transfer garden, compost pile, and wash & pack station. You're welcome to visit and hang out in Wild Market as well as pick any veggies from the transfer garden if there are any extra.

    • Pathways

      There are 3 main pathways on the farm:

      • Firefly Lane: Runs through the middle of the farm and mostly used to walk between Wild Market & The Cabin
      • Brokeback Boulevard: Runs through the forest from Wild Market all the way back to Forest Fringe campsite
      • Secret Garden Way: Runs through Secret Garden adjacent to Firefly Lane

    ✶ What to expect

    Event GuidelinesFAQs

    Got questions? Get in touch.