Pickathon in Photos
For a long weekend in August just outside Portland Pendarvis Farm swells with people, many of which are young families, to camp, enjoy music, and commune with our fellow humans. In the forested part of the grounds, every square foot of flat dirt or bush that could be used as sleeping space was taken, and then some. Hammocks were a favorite device since much of that forest was the side of a hill. A cool 90 degrees in the shade for a period, Toddlers misted passers-by with friendly doses of water from squirt bottles, and teenagers were getting entrepreneurial with a Super-Soaker. On the hottest day of the weekend the festival itself provided an industrial effort misting station, a essentially spraying people down for hours on end. It was very effective and much appreciated.
Gonzo heat aside Pickathon delivered on just about every count. Food: Pine State Biscuits for Breakfast and Bunk Bar For Dinner? Oh Snap! Music: War On Drugs, THEESatisfaction and Thee Oh Sees among others made nearly every set I witnessed a winner. Shovels and Rope and Lake Street Dive both brought down the house. Notable bands played small stages and smaller bands played big stage. Atmosphere: Low key, but enough license and space was given to allow people to keep things going all night long. Official sets went late into the night and jam sessions of one and many were happening in campsites all over, all the time.
Note to self for next time: Show up early to get a prime campsite. And bring a hammock just in case. There will definitely be a next time.
