More Than 400,000 People Attended The Woodstock Music Festival On Max Yasgurs 600-acre Dairy Farm Near

More than 400,000 people attended the Woodstock Music Festival on Max Yasgur’s 600-acre dairy farm near Bethel, NY, which took place 15-18 August 1969.

Organized by New York City entrepreneurs John Roberts and Joel Rosenman, concert promoter Michael Lang, and music executive Artie Kornfeld, they anticipated around 50,000 - 150,000 people would attend the festival. More than 186,000 tickets were sold, but the event quickly became “free” as fences were left unbuilt (due to the promoters’ need to change the venue from Wallkill, NY with less than a month before the event).

Creedence Clearwater Revival was the first of 32 acts to agree to play. Richie Havens was the first to perform (he was the first musician to arrive, as others could not get to the stage due to traffic jams. Helicopters were quickly hired to get musicians to and from the stage area). Jimi Hendrix was the last act to perform, and due to delays, he did not take the stage until 8:30 am on Monday morning (by which time, the crowd had dwindled to an estimated 30,000 - 100,000).

Most media coverage emphasized the problems that occurred, including traffic, mud, and health issues (the US Army flew in 45 doctors to assist), and neglected the more positive aspects. Despite initial anger by the town (some residents called for a boycott of Yasgur’s dairy products), they volunteered help when needed, especially when vendors ran out of food on Saturday (residents made sandwiches, sent vegetables and canned goods, and provided more than 100,000 eggs. The Yasgurs donated milk and yogurt).

The organizers lost an estimated $1.5 million dollars (nearly $10 million in today’s value), and did not see a profit from the album, film, and merchandise until 1980.

The Evening Sun, Hanover, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1922

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