Copyright © 2007, Coven Dragonlair
Upcoming Events:
Witchstock is a camping retreat for the Wiccan community, their friends and family in celebration of the Autumn Equinox. It is held near Centerville, Texas. The campout presents a wonderful opportunity for bonding and reaffirming our relationship with self, partner, parent, children, friends, the natural world and the Divine on all levels.
If paid in advance - by September 18th 2010, Witchstock registration fees are $30.00/person. Children 12 and under are admitted free with a parent or guardian. Vendors are asked to pay an additional $5.00. If you wish to pay at the event, then the registration fee is $35.00 per person. You may bring the completed registration form and payment to any of our open circle ritual events or you may mail it in to the address shown on the registration form.
Witchstock is a clothing optional festival.
Member of the Celtic Groves will be available at our open-circle events to accept your registration forms and camping fees for the campout, or you may mail them in to the PO Box listed on the registration form.
Then we get wet. WitchStock is held rain-or-shine. There is a covered pavilian and portable firepit available for use if incelement weather occurs.
2010 Registration forms will be available after Beltaine 2010. They will be available here after that time for download. (will open in a new window - or you can right-click and "Save as" or "Save target as" - and download the form to your computer). The file is in Adobe Acrobat format. You will need at least version 5.0 of the Adobe Acrobat Reader to read this file. You can download the latest version of the reader from http://www.adobe.com.
Please contact us by either e-mail at info@celticgroves.com or send your request to The Celtic Groves / Dragonlair, P.O. Box 612291, Dallas, Texas 75261 and provide a mailing address and a SASE where we can send the form.
No particular geographical area is targeted, though much of our advertising effort goes to the Dallas/Ft.Worth area since that is where the Celtic Groves and Dragonlair are based. Besides people from the D/FW area, we've had attendees from the northern Arkansas, Wichita, Kansas, Shreveport, Louisiana, Tyler, Tx, Austin, Houston and San Antonio areas. We have an ad in the Holistic Networker and a listing on the Witches' Voice before the event. We've had attendees from Texas, Kansas, and Louisiana. If you would like to distribute Witchstock information flyers in your area, please let us know and we will send you some.
Over the past fifteen years, Witchstock has attracted between 40 and 75 attendees each festival. We definitely would like to see the event grow and still maintain the sense of community and family Witchstock is known for.
The site is considered primitive but it's getting more civilized every year. There is a shower house with hot & cold running water and portable toilets are placed in strategic areas through out the camp. Tap water is available at the shower house along with a deep sink for washing dishes; however bottled water or water in a cooler will be more convenient and probably taste better. In 2009, the land-owners built a "Throne Room" (permanent "flush-toilets") that is a WELCOME addition to the camping experience.
The site-owners really prefer that there not be RV-type vehicles, however, they have indicated that POP-up campers are okay on the property.
It is very time consuming to return to town for supplies with a 20 - 30 minute, one-way drive to the nearest grocery or convenience store. Stock up on food and ice before arriving at the camp property. There is a grocery store in Buffalo, Texas
Alcoholic beverages are permitted at Witchstock; Buffalo has recently (2009) passed legislation allowing the sale of beer & wine. If you imbibe, please drink responsibly. Unacceptable behavior will result in explusion from the event.
We have had several interesting workshops over the years: Tye-dye, Ritual Workshop, Tai chi, Belly Dancing, Drama in Ritual, Making Incense, Mead Making, Planting by the Moon, Color Your Tarot, Body Painting, Rhythm and Music for Ritual, Meditation Walks, Bath Salts, Revels, Ritual, Flute-Making, Magickal Spinning, Men and their place in Wicca, Games, "Women's Self Defense on both the Physical and Spiritual Planes", and more...
The Ritual Workshop is held every year and is intended for those with little experience in performing rituals, particularly for a large gathering. Members of this class will write and perform the main ritual. Other classes/workshops will be listed on the Witchstock main page as they are scheduled.
Workshops are led by elders of the Celtic Groves, members from covens, groves and other groups, and even attendees. If you, too, would like lead a workshop, please contact us or mention it on the registration form. We'll get back with you for more information and if the schedule allows, we will include it in our program. The schedule has filled up VERY quickly for the last 14 events - so let us know EARLY if you'd like to hold a workshop.
Witchstock is held from 3pm Friday until Noon Sunday. The landowners ask that all campers be off premesis by 12 Noon. Anyone camped or not off property by then may be locked onto the property, with no way to leave.
Yes! Witchstock is a family oriented event. We make an effort to provide an environment that is as safe and enjoyable for children and their parents as we can, considering the natural setting and other uncontrollable elements. Young people under 18 may attend only with a parent or legal guardian - and keep in mind - WitchStock is a clothing-optional event.
The typical ages range from school age to the teen years; the 9 - 16 age-group being the most frequently represented. Some parents have even brought their babies and toddlers and had a wonderful time.
Many of our workshops and activities are suitable for any age but we do have some that children may find especially enjoyable. We also have a stage magician on staff that can perform an impromptu prestidigitation stage show and teach the kids a slight-of-hand trick or two that they can amaze their friends with when they get home.
As far as we know there are no places on the grounds where children are not permitted if accompanied by a parent or guardian.
The landowners have designatd a significant portion (appx 12 acres) of the land for camping. They do ask that there be no camping beyond the creekbed, or in "roadways". Other spots may be designated as "no camping" at event time. Event attendees are encouraged to camp together in common areas. Spots that have an established fire-ring typically can hold 7-8 tents around them - this can become "community-like" if attendees choose to organize it as such.
One year where we had a group of under aged teens show up without a parent, guardian or even parental permission. We had to send those young people home.
Parents and guardians are expected to watch their own children and are responsible for their children's behavior and well-being. We ask that young people under 18 wear a brightly colored wristband (provided upon arrival) throughout the run of the festival.
Also be aware that there are generally LOTS of grass-burrs (stickers) on the property. Make sure to bring closed-toed shoes to maximize the kids' enjoyment of the weekend.
Unless your pet requires constant medical attention, please leave him or her at home.
We will do what we can - considering the primitive camping terrain and facilities - such as locating a suitable campsite, arranging for time at the property owner's cabin where someone can get out of the elements for a while or plug in an electrical device or making an allowance for a non-human helper like a seeing-eye dog.
Fundraiser tickets are a dollar each. You can buy as many tickets as you'd like and have as many chances to win as there are items in the raffle and tickets purchased. The items that have been in past raffles are candles, wind chimes, t-shirts, music CD's, homemade jelly, silver chalice's, massage vouchers, bath salts and original artwork. We gratefully and happily accept items donated for the raffle so, if you can contribute, we greatly appreciate it.
Texas can get pretty parched over the summer and a fire ban may be in effect. Individual ground fires or unshielded flame (this includes candles) may not be permitted. If there is not a fire ban, you may use the fire rings that are already established but can't make any new ones. You may use whatever deadfall you can find for small, enclosed fires. Do not cut any live trees or limbs, or take someone else's "already gathered" wood. We will have a large revel fire on Friday and Saturday night in a well cleared area that is managed by a staff member the entire time it is burning.
Yes, as long as you don't litter and what you're smoking is not a controlled substance. Carry an ashtray or butt can with you. Anyone suspected of bringing controlled substances, other than doctor prescribed medication, onto the campgrounds will be expelled from Witchstock.
Again, so glad you asked! WitchStock 16 Tshirt design will be made available after Beltaine 2010.