Psst. If you're interested in donating to Gratistfest, visit the donate page!

THE LOWDOWN

WHAT IS GRATISFEST?

Well, maybe we should start with "Where is Gratisfest?"

Or better yet, "Where has Gratisfest been?!?"

Those familiar with the festival know that in 2008, Gratisfest took the year off. The festival had grown so quickly, and so successfully, that we simply couldn’t do it with the structure we had in place. There was too much resting on the shoulders of too few, and there’s no point to a begrudging Gratisfest. Kind of an oxymoron.

We’re back now with a bit more organization, and a slightly adjusted set of expectations. Since Gratisfest is more than just a festival, since it is an exchange, since it is a relationship, if you miss out on the opportunity to participate—to receive and to give back—then you’re missing out on the Gratis.

If you haven’t attended before, then perhaps we need to let you know just what Gratisfest is. Gratisfest is a free three-day music and arts festival. It’s held on Mamaw and Papaw’s Farm (properly named Nancye and Richard Strasser—and they should be appropriately thanked for graciously allowing us to descend upon their property for the weekend) in Southeastern Indiana. Gratisfest is free, but it’s not low-budget. In past years the entertainment has included seasoned professionals, from roots-rocker Ashley Cleveland to the all-night frenzy of The Psalters. In addition to the music, there are communal art experiences for adults and kids, fishing, swimming, cornhole, lots of sunshine and fresh air, and of course, the fabulous fireworks on Sunday night. Best of all, there are lots of great people, and enough time to get to know them.

But Gratisfest is more than just a camping trip or a music festival. It’s a relational exchange. A community experience. As such, if you don’t participate fully, you not only limit your experience of the festival, but you limit everyone else’s. This year we’re spreading the joy around, and inviting everyone to participate in the work it takes to put on the festival. When you register, please look at the volunteer opportunities available, and choose one (or more) that suits you. Find something you enjoy, and then sign up to help us keep it going. If you like to clean toilets, sign up for that. If you know how to drive a truck, there’s your job. There’s a lot to do, and plenty of opportunities. Don’t just receive; give a little back and you’ll feel the true spirit of the fest as it warms the cockles of your cold, dead heart. (Okay, maybe a little melodramatic there. Sorry.)

FESTIVAL DONATIONS

We did a little math, and tried to come up with a dollar figure we’d have to charge everyone if we did this for profit. As best we can determine, if we had to charge admission to Gratisfest it would probably come out to about $158.64 per person to put this on every year. That price, and the uncounted cost of volunteer hours in lieu of admission fees, is why there was no Gratisfest 2008. It’s a big endeavor, and the only way we can continue with the Gratis is if we do it together. It’s really not about the money (in fact, David didn’t want us to mention it at all, but it’s a legitimate way of painting the picture). It’s about community and about the relationships it takes to pull this off. Please make a decision to participate, and to share in the Gratis of Gratisfest.

Many people make the assumption that their support for Gratisfest vendors, or their contribution at the pub, fulfills the monetary cost of their participation in the festival. But exactly none of the vendor proceeds (including the bar) go to support the festival. Please support the vendors and hang out at the pub, but recognize that none of that money goes to the festival’s bottom line.

Having said that, there are several ways you can monetarily donate to the festival.

1. Donate when you register. On the Registration thank-you page, you’ll find a Paypal donation button. Early donations allow us to cover costs involved in preparing for the festival. In years past, most of that money has come from the already threadbare pockets of a small group of festival organizers. Spreading the responsibility allows us to ensure the future of the festival for (hopefully) years to come.

2. Watch for the yellow boxes! During the festival there will be yellow donation boxes placed throughout the Gratisfest site. Donations to these boxes go directly to offsetting the cost of putting on the festival. Please keep an eye out for the boxes, and empty your pockets into them whenever you pass. Oh, and don’t put your trash there. Seriously.

Some important notes:

This year, in order to prepare for the festival, we are requiring early registration. That’ll give us a good idea of who to expect and how to prepare. Read up about the festival, check out the schedule and the particulars, and when you’re ready, visit the Registration page linked to below to reserve your spot.

On the Registration page, you’ll be given some volunteer options to help make things run more smoothly, and we hope you’ll take a close look at those. You’ll also have a chance to donate to the festival when you register, which will allow us to be that much better prepared.

THIS YEAR, GRATIS IS GREEN

We’re out in nature, so it’s already pretty green… but this year we’re taking it a step further. Our goal for Gratisfest 2009 is not only to reduce the work burden on those who make Gratisfest happen, but also to reduce the burden on resources that our good time requires. To that end, disposable cups, plates, and utensils are unwelcome guests unless you intend to put them in your self-provided garbage bags and haul it all home with you. There will be no receptacles available for you to toss your trash into. This also means that vendors will not be supplying cups, plates, etc., with their consumables. So, you want an ear of corn or a funnel cake? Whether you are coming for just the day, overnight, or for the entire weekend, you are responsible for that which you will eat with or drink from (be it plates, cups, and utensils that can be washed in the provided wash stations or disposables that you will take home with you).

There’s a simple principle in camping: Pack it in, pack it out. That’s all we’re asking. Another old camper saying is “Leave it cleaner than you found it.” Do that, and you can’t go wrong. Treat Gratisfest like a camping trip.

Composting/Recycling

We’ll be composting any food scraps—look for the marked containers near the wash stations. We also will be providing recycling bins for cans, glass, and plastics with the proper numeric labels. Not sure if it’s recyclable? Pack it in, pack it out.

Interested in joining us?

Register for Gratisfest.