Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest 2024

Calling All Adventure Seekers! Escape to the Magical BEST Fest!

Tired of the daily grind? Craving a 4-day weekend of transformative joy amidst nature's beauty? Dive into Touch Mother Earth BEST Fest, where unforgettable experiences bloom around every bend.

B.E.S.T. is:

Belonging - we support inclusion and everyone feels welcome.

Emerging - participants learn, grow and blossom.

Synergizing - is the harmony that brings it all together.

Transforming - is manifesting what is learned.

Imagine:

• Swapping city noise for the rustling symphony of leaves. Breathe in the invigorating scent of pine and feel the earth beneath your feet as you immerse yourself in the serene Girl Scout Camp Sacajawea forest in central New Jersey.

• A vibrant tapestry of experiences: From soulful workshops to pulsating drum circles, from heartfelt yoga sessions to mouthwatering healthy food, the BEST Fest caters to every desire. Get lost in the rhythm of live music, discover unique treasures at hand-picked vendor stalls, and share laughter with newfound friends.

• Unleash your inner explorer: Hike through sun-dappled trails, camp under a star-studded sky, or indulge in pampering massages and sound healing that melt away stress. We have something for everyone on their path!

• A haven for all: Whether you're a seasoned yogi, a music aficionado, or simply seeking a break from the ordinary, the BEST Fest's welcoming community embraces you with open arms. Find your tribe in villages like Music, Drum and Dance, Sacred Moon Mind-Body-Spirit, and Earth Camp, each offering a unique slice of the festival's magic.

Leave the mundane behind and step into a weekend of wonder. Click the link below to secure your spot at the BEST Fest and get ready to:

• Rekindle your spirit in nature's embrace.

• Discover inspiring workshops and activities.

• Connect with a like-minded community.

• Create memories that will last a lifetime.

Ready to unlock your tickets to the BEST Fest, visit: https://theticketing.co/e/touchmotherearth0524

Find yourself in a safe community where you can indulge in sound healing, embrace the tranquility of forest bathing, dance to live music and the rhythm of drums, practice yoga, participate in enlightening workshops, explore enticing vendor offerings, engage in activities for kids, and even opt for a camping adventure to fully unwind and soak it all in.

Skip the hustle of finding the right location! Camp Sacajawea is nestled in the trees of Monmouth County, NJ (NOT Sparta, NOT Newfield).

See our short promo video:

HIGHLIGHTS

Bring a camp chair or drum stool, maybe a wagon, and enjoy an incredible festival weekend with your family and friends at Camp Sacajawea. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect at the BEST Fest:

Over 40 Workshops, Classes & Circles:

• Deepen your practice: Flow into yoga classes with Bharati Carla and others. Learn about the magic of the forest with nature walks and activities led by Jim Furey, Stephen Hoog, Shakti Shae, and Wisteria Dawn.

• Ignite your child's imagination: Engage in a Kid's Intensive with Nancy Schroeck of Sunshine Farm and Learning Center, AnneMarie Dralus, and other passionate educators.

• Sip and savor cacao, sing traditional songs, and connect to the rich nature surrounding you with Leticia Gutievaz and honor Pachamama with Madame X to connect you with the spirit of the land.

• More to come! Stay tuned for announcements of exciting workshops!

Visit: www.TouchMotherEarth.com for updates and schedule.

LIVE MUSIC

On Saturday night the whole community comes together with special performances featuring headliners: drum and song artist Ubaka Hill and The Mystical Kirtan of Mirabai Moon. Then join us around the fire for an intense drum circle.

Sunday brings us another full day of continuous entertainment! Additional music performances on Sunday evening feature favorites Tony and the Trees, and Gaia Raga.

Also performing over the weekend will be local favorites: Tommy and Mommy, Om Saloon, Faye Adinda, Dennis McDoNoUgh, Dan Lee, Sawmill Run Old Time Band, Scott Pehnke, Amanda Conti, Swardas and Friends, and special guest: Bele Bele Rhythm Collective featuring Drumlady Kristen Arant, with other artists TBA.

Stay tuned for the full daytime music lineup and get ready to dance to your favorite bands!

Monday is Memorial Day and is free to the public ($5 parking). Shop our wonderful vendors!!! We will blend live music on stage, offer yoga, have time to explore the woods, and feature dynamic workshops, plus spiritual connections in a safe, welcoming space.

Schedule:

DRUM n' DANCE:

• Ubaka Hill brings us traditional rhythms for your drum with song and story for finding your voice!

• Pulse to the rhythm: Renowned instructors like Mamoudou Konate Simbo, Yahaya Kabore, Remmi Nicole, and Clyde Williams Jr. lead djembe and dun classes that will set your hands tingling.

• Expand your practice with a frame drum class with Bharati Carla and Jim Dav.

Move with the ancestors, groove with the future:

• African rhythms pulsate through your veins: Masterful instructors like Audrey Davis-Dunning and Victor Marshall ignite your spirit with the vibrant energy of African dance

• Belly dance like a goddess: Channel your inner Cleopatra with Bridgette Dance, Audie OS, and the captivating moves of Maria Naja Richardson. Let your hips whisper ancient stories.

• Feel the rhythm in your body: Immerse yourself in the pulse of the music letting your body move spontaneously and freely with Monica Steffey’s improvisational dance.

• Lois Wilson guides you on a journey of self-expression accepting your body with movement.

Unleash the music: Let the beat carry you into the night with drum circles around the fire after the night concerts.

Drum Circle at night:

Our Drum n Dance program is sponsored by Hub City Drum n Dance of New Brunswick, NJ.

NOTE: All dance classes are held at the Pavilion between the Drum n Dance camp and the lower Camper Parking Lot. All drumming takes place around a fire pit.

GRAB YOUR SPOT NOW - ALL WORKSHOPS are INCLUDED

The highest prices will be at the gate.

https://theticketing.co/e/touchmotherearth0524

Immerse yourself in the magic of music, love, friendship, spirit, nature, and acceptance. Make new connections with the diverse, mindful culture of people, workshops, classes, and performances plus shopping at the BEST Fest.

The festival is not just a fun experience, not just a learning experience, it’s a bonding experience where your facilitators, teachers, leaders, vendors, and others are all together in the communal forest. You may opt to come for a day or camp, hang out with a village, learn and talk together, share meals, and all workshops are included!

Float from village to village:

Music Jam Stage - live music

Sacred Moon Market - shop the wonderful vendors

Drum N Dance Camp - classes and circles

Mind Body Spirit Zone - yoga and workshops

Mother Earth Village - nature appreciation topics

Touch Mother Earth Kids - seeds and songs

Sacred Moon Fire Camp - ceremonies and workshops

Food vendors, drinks, and snacks will be sold onsite or you can bring your own. We will also include vegetarian/vegan food options! We have flush toilets, compost toilets, outdoor swimsuit showers (not heated), picnic tables, and pavilions onsite. Weekend campers may use the grills with wood supplied by the camp. We are a pack-in, pack-out camp so plan to take the general trash and recycling away.

TREAT YOURSELF WITH 50+ HAND-SELECTED VENDORS

Find unique gifts and treasures at the Sacred Moon Market, Drum and Dance Camp, and Mind Body Spirit Zone with custom silver, gold, wrapped jewelry, beads, homemade wellness products, room sprays, soaps, salves, tinctures, oils, crocheted items, tote bags, scarves, and clothing, tie-dye items.

You will also find hand-blown glass, pottery, ceramics, crystals, gemstones, minerals, fossils, botanicals, teas, art, prints, tapestries, wood carvings, flutes, drums, books, incense, smudge, candles, angel, tarot, and oracle cards, Runes, medallions, charms and pendants, readers, chair and Thai massage, Shiatsu, muscle testing, sound and energy healers, and more!

Support your local artists and bring some cash.

See Vendor Set-up:

DOORS OPEN to the PUBLIC

3 pm – 11 pm Friday

10 am – 11 pm Saturday

10 am – 11 pm Sunday

9 am – 4 pm Monday

PUBLIC PARKING is at the Program Activity Center 127 Yellow Brook Road, Farmingdale, NJ.

Come for a day or stay the weekend. Not a camper? No problem. Folks close by can come by day and go home at night. But the real immersion and magic happen by staying over for the full experience.

Lowest-priced tickets with and without camping or lodging are on sale now and are even higher at the gate. https://theticketing.co/e/touchmotherearth0524

IMPORTANT CAMP DETAILS:

🌲 Our event is held at a forest camp. You may encounter poison ivy, ticks, snakes, protruding stones or ground holes, mud, rugged terrain, fallen branches, wet leaves, etc. While much of the area is shaded, you might want to wear skin protection. It gets dark and cool at night, carry a flashlight and bring a sweater!

Toilets are found throughout the camp.

This is a leave-no-trace camp. There is garbage/recycling onsite. All waste material is to be removed including gear, broken chairs, food, etc.

No smoking in the main camp. We are located inside a forest. Smoking is out at the sandy lower camper parking lot past the drum camp (across from the dance pavilion) or in the Public Parking field away from the trees.

No animals except service dogs are permitted, with no exceptions. Emotional support dogs do not qualify.

No alcohol or illegal drugs, no firearms, fireworks, sparklers, or fire flow toys (bring LED). Attendees not following camp regulations may be asked to leave.

Bring a water jug and camp mug - shared well water taps are at each camp.

CAMPING

The camping and vendor entrance is 242 Adelphia Rd Farmingdale, NJ. After unloading, you will park at the Program Activity Center 127 Yellow Brook Road, Farmingdale, NJ, and walk back to camp.

Come and camp for the BEST weekend ever. We sell tickets for tent camping and have a few spaces for pop-up campers or RVs (no hook-ups). Tents can go in any of the camps EXCEPT for the Sacred Moon Market which is for vendors and lodging.

We also offer camping in your car. You will be in the camper parking lot by the dance pavilion and Drum and Dance camp.

Pop-up Campers and RVs share the lower parking lot with car camping. There are no hook-ups.

If you are a smoker, we recommend the Drum and Dance camp since it is near the camper parking lot. The Public Parking lot is also okay. Please dispose of your butts properly.

ONSITE LODGING:

You may select from any of the 30 Platform Tents (PT) in the 2 Earth Camps (we have a family side), the Mind-Body-Spirit Camp (quiet), and the Sacred Moon Camp (these camps have workshops), or in the Reflections Camp (quietest, no kids).

Canvas tents are 10’ x 10’ set off the ground on a wood platform. 2 Velcro door flaps allow ventilation and a tarp is stretched above for additional weather protection! 2 people are included for an additional fee, but each can sleep up to 6 people (4 adults and 2 kids).

NOTE: You will need to provide your own bed, mat, sleeping bag, bedding, etc.

Visit our website for photos and other details at: https://touchmotherearth.com/camping-type-selection

Thank you for choosing Touch Mother Earth festivals!

Your reservation can be made here: https://theticketing.co/e/touchmotherearth0524

Link to this event and please invite others: https://www.facebook.com/events/edit/915726756559389/

Touch Mother Earth is a 501c3 Non-Profit that streams real content to disabled, aged, and institutions.

Visit www.TouchMotherEarth.org to learn how we bring the outside IN. You will see our photographers and videographers onsite!

Event Venue

Program Activity Center, Girl Scouts Of The Jersey Shore, 127 Yellow Brook Rd,Farmingdale,NJ,United States