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2009 Rainbow Family Gathering ~ Cuba, Ranger District, Santa Fe NF
What is the Rainbow Family of Living Light?
The Rainbow Family is a loose-knit group of people who pursue alternative lifestyles. They gather on National Forest lands to discuss political and environmental issues, pray for world peace, and celebrate life. They describe themselves as having no leaders and no organization.
What is the annual gathering?
Since 1972, the event has taken place on a different national forest during the Fourth of July holiday and has fluctuated in size. In recent years, the gathering has attracted approximately 5,000 to 10,000 people with past Gatherings having as many as 25,000 people in attendance. Smaller local and regional gatherings occur during other times of the year.
How and when is the site for the annual gathering selected?
The specific location for the large annual gathering was announced by the Rainbow Family on June 11, 2009. This year’s annual gathering was held on the Cuba Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest in the Parque Venado area, located 22 miles east of Cuba, NM.
When was the annual gathering ?
The annual gathering was held July 1-7, 2009. This year, 10,500 people attended.
How did the Forest Service regulate and manage the event?
The Forest Service requires a free special use permit for every non-commercial group of 75 or more people that gathers on National Forest System lands. A signed non-commercial group use permit with an Operating Plan was obtained.The Forest Service also utilized a National Incident Management Team (NIMT) with local Forest Service personnel to manage the impacts of this event.
How is the site recovering and how did things go this year?
At the end of July, a Rainbow Family rehabilitation (rehab) crew, comprised of about 60 workers successfully completed the cleanup and rehabilitation work in the Parque Venado area. The 60 Rainbow rehab workers who stayed behind were true to their word and did a good job cleaning up and rehabilitating the site. The site is recovering well at this early stage, time and nature will complete the healing process.
The completion of the cleanup and rehab work draws an end to the 38th Annual Rainbow Family of Living Light Gathering. Despite minor issues this year, the event was deemed a success by participants and cooperators. The event built and strengthened relationships between the Rainbow Family the Forest Service and various local, county and state agencies that came together to create a safe and peaceful event for all.
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