Assembly Resolution No. 593

BY: M. of A. Gunther

COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of the
Woodstock Music and Art Fair

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those cultural institutions and organizations whose
commitment to promoting the richness and diversity of the arts and
entertainment world has contributed to the strength, vitality, and
cultural enrichment of their communities and the great State of New
York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair
through a year-long Season of Song and Celebration; and

WHEREAS, Hosted by the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, this
auspicious occasion will be observed with a myriad of events from August
15-18, 2019, at the original site located in Bethel, New York; and

WHEREAS, During this Anniversary Week, all are welcome to visit the
historic site and museum, hear music where history was made, and reflect
and memoiralize the legacy of this hallowed ground; and

WHEREAS, From August 15-18, 1969, one of the most renowned music
festivals in history took place on Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm near
White Lake in Bethel, New York; and

WHEREAS, At a time when Americans were deeply divided, over 400,000
people from across the country gathered in these fields to celebrate An
Aquarian Experience: Three Days of Peace and Music; these three days of
32 legendary performances, unimaginable mud, and unforgettable
experiences helped the Woodstock Music and Art Fair become a symbol of
an entire generation; and

WHEREAS, Originally, about 50,000 people were expected, however, by
Wednesday, August 13, 1969, at least that number were already camped out
on location and over 100,000 tickets pre-sold; as an estimated one
million people descended on Woodstock, its organizers scrambled to add
more facilities; highways and local roads came to a standstill and many
concert-goers simply abandoned their cars and trekked the rest of the
way on foot; eventually, about half a million people reached the venue;
and

WHEREAS, The Woodstock audience was diverse and a reflection of the
rapidly-changing times; there was a sense of social harmony, which, with
the quality of music, and the overwhelming mass of people, many sporting
bohemian dress, behavior, and attitudes, helped to make it one of the
enduring events of the century; and

WHEREAS, As the weekend came to a close, most of the Woodstock
attendees left the venue exhausted, yet joyful and satisfied; the
festival was truly an opportunity for people to escape into music and
spread a message of unity and peace; and


WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the importance of the
performing arts, which act to inspire, enlighten, and unify people from
all cultural backgrounds through the transcendent power of human
expression; and

WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts
of our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we
celebrate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere
in which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the
expression of the soul; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.