COMMACK, NY — Members of the Flower Power movement, may be in their 70s now, but nothing can stop them from celebrating the 53rd anniversary of the Woodstock Music and Arts Festival on Thursday.
At Fountaingate Gardens, a senior community located at 32 Hauppauge Rd. in Commack, some young at heart of the counterculture generation donned tie-dye fringe, headbands and peace signs for a day full of activities in commemoration of one of history’s most pivotal and popular music festivals.
Woodstock, which was held from Aug. 15 to Aug 18 1969, was a unique time of peace and love, according to Bonnie Soman, a founding member of Fountaingate, which is 145 miles from the dairy farm in Bethel where the festival was held.
“Hundreds of thousands of people came together — during very turbulent times — to celebrate music and to peacefully take a stance against the Vietnam war. Woodstock was a generational moment,” Soman said.
To recreate the vibe of Woodstock, employees at Fountaingate hosted a tie-dye shirt crafting event, followed by outdoor chair yoga in dewy grass, which was led by @MamaHypno instructor Deb Tracy, who teaches biweekly classes at the independent living community.
There was a coffee klatch meet-up in a community bistro room, and an afternoon hippie happy hour hosted by staff dressed in bell bottoms, sunglasses, sandals and bandanas, which featured a Woodstock documentary, concert music and theme food that included a signature “Hippie Juice” cocktail with peace-sign shaped platters of fruits and cheeses.
“We had a great turnout for our inaugural Woodstock remembrance event,” Ryan Grady, Fountaingate Gardens’ executive director, said. “Our community members enjoyed reminiscing with each other and sharing stories with our younger staff about the significance of the festival and the countercultural generation.”
Upwards of 35 people attended the event, according to a spokeswoman for the facility.
"Our community is brand new and this was the inaugural Woodstock event," the spokeswoman told Patch. "We are planning to build on the event for next anniversary."
Fountaingate Gardens, sponsored by Gurwin Healthcare System, is an 129-apartment unit located on a 36-acre campus and it provides assisted living options, short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, memory care and other healthcare services all on one campus.
Fountaingate Gardens is for people age 62 years and older and the community is also comprised of apartment homes and a myriad of wellness-focused amenities and programs, while offering financial and healthcare security.
Visit FountaingateLI.org to learn more about the senior independent living community, or call (631) 715-2693.
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