Bacchanalia 2005 Report

So, the supposed last Bacchanalia is over. Damn, I had fun! I mean, I always have fun at Bacch, but this year was even more fun than usual.

Bacchanalia is this music and beer festival held every year at Beck's Family Campground and organized by College of Wooster's Crandall House. It's been going strong for 38 years and Crandall alumni come from all over the country for it. At one time it was on Playboy's "Ten Best College Parties" list.

Basically, you buy a ticket ($20 in recent years) which gets you a camping space of your own choosing and all the draft beer you can drink from noon until midnight as well as music acts all day long. The music is wildly eclectic -- from rock to jam bands to reggae.

All day, people socialize, dance, play frisbee, whatever. After midnight, when the bands stop and the beer is shut off, the place is lit with campfires, some people cooking or playing guitars, or sitting around a drum circle. People walk from fire to fire, getting to know one another and chilling out. The whole affair has kind of a hippie "feel" to it, and indeed it apparently has a historical connection to the Deadheads.

I've attended the last five Bacchanalias and had a fantastic time at every one. This year's event almost didn't happen for various reasons, but some alumni got together and pulled it off at the last minute. Because of this, attendance was low -- but the people who did come were the best quality.

I drank. I socialized. I drank some more. I engaged in philosophical debate. I drank some more. I listened to music. I didn't dance for the first time ever, but I did drink some more. After dark, it is entirely possible that I was one of the streakers that ran the circuit of the campground. I will neither admit nor deny. Those were some brave, liberated guys, though.

Now it's over and there may not be another. That would be truly sad. As soon as this hangover wears off, I may see if I can join the organizers in trying to keep Bacchanalia alive. That is, if the hangover wears off before next year.

Damn. I may be getting too old for this stuff...