As I mentioned previously, I was planning to attend the 6th Annual South Jersey Pagan Pride Day Event, well I did! And it was a very enjoyable day and I am so glad I went.
I left early in the morning, but the directions that I printed out from google were wrong (they said to take 70W, but I should have gotten off at 70E), and I ended up about 2 hours out of my way traveling back and forth on route 70 determined to find the street I was suppose to turn down to find the park where the event of was being held. I had planned on arriving when it started by 9 a.m., but ended up arriving just before noon.
I stayed calm, played my Celtic Woman cd, and eventually called hubby and had him look up the directions again using a different online source. After a few more calls, a few more wrong turns, eventually I arrived at the lovely Cooper River Park in Pennsauken. There were small Pagan Pride Day signs along the road near the park, and off in the distance I could see a large open area where lots of tables were set up, a play area for kids, lots of trees along the water, and sail boats on the lake. The weather was perfect – not too hot, not too cold.
I found the welcome table easily, located right at the end of the parking area and before the very large grassy area where tables\booths were set up in a semi circle, with a small stage area in the center (labeled Mt. Olympus stage on the event map). I introduced myself to the friendly folks behind the welcome table and picked up a booklet with the schedule and a map outlining where classes would be held, and brief bios for all the presentors. On the right were stone bleachers all along one side of the grassy area with signs designating different class areas (labeled Athena, and Apollo). There was also Pan’s Playground – an area set up for the kids to work on craft projects. They also set up a collection bin near the welcome table for collecting nonperishable food items for donations.
I was just in time to take a class on crystals so headed over to the Apollo area of the bleachers. The instructor, Nancy Tursi, gave everyone a few small crystals of rose quartz, peridot, and amethyst along with a nice printed out informative card for each. She led a mediation first without the crystals and than again using each of the crystals one at time so we could feel the difference. She encouraged each member of the class to discuss what they sensed and which stone they preferred. We were than put into pairs and worked on each other sending healing energy to our partner using the crystal of their choice.
After the class I made a tour of the various booths and tables - there were lots of vendors with a variety of witchy wares (oh the temptations!), artists and green cleaning products, one for reiki and another for massage, two doing readings, and a few representing wiccan\pagan groups. Not everyone had a business card or flyer, but I did pick up as many as I could and will list them below.
After I made a full circle of all the booths, I stopped at the last one and bought some raffle tickets (lots of various donated prizes from the various vendors) and you picked which one’s to drop your ticket(s) into for a chance to win including a handmade hooded cloak, books, tarot cards, items for children and much more. After that I decided to eat my lunch which I had packed with me. I found a picnic table near the parking area and read over the pamphlets and various handouts I had picked up while I enjoyed the sunshine, the music, and the relaxing atmosphere.
After lunch, I strolled leisurely back to the booths and make a final decision on what to buy but also to see if I could find Karen – who I had only spoken with online through Facebook. It was a posting on facebook by Karen that alerted me to the event in the first place and she said she was planning on having a booth (Karen does Angel Essence Massage and is a Bach Flower consultant). I managed to find her and we shared a warm hug and smiles. Her friend at the table with her turned out to be the instructor from the crystal’s class I had just taken. Her friend is the founder of Double Visions – paranormal investigations.
After visiting with Karen a bit, I made a final round of the booths, selected a vendor to make a small purchase from (a young woman who was just starting out and was so new she didn’t even have a website yet), and for a little bit watched from the bleachers the ritual that had started in the area near the stage in the center. It was about mid-afternoon and I was getting tired from my very long winding driving adventure to get there, so I decided to head on home a bit early rather then stay until 5 pm when the event ended. Fortunately, finding my way home only took about 45 minutes since I now knew which direction I should be heading
I had a very good time, and it was a great way to relax and spend the day outside with fellow wiccans and pagans. I really enjoyed meeting new folks and passing out our business cards for 2 Witches Blog. I also invited a couple of folks to contact us if they were interested in doing a guest post. Some of the booths were very busy so I didn’t get a chance to speak with everyone. I was impressed by how organized the event was and the park itself is a great space for holding such an event. Lots of folks were there with their families and children. The weather was perfect so the turn out was good. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this event next year and hope to attend in 2010.
Other classes\workshops offered: Past Lives, Goddess & the Grail, Pagan Podcasting, History of Wicca, Feri Tradition, Dance & Movement in Magick, Runes, Interfaith Families, Druid, Drum Circle, Asatru Blot.
Crafts for the kids: Shake n Paint Swirly Abstact Art, beaded necklaces-bracelets,zip-per fobs and bookmarks, felt pumpkins-acorns-medicine pouches; foamy frames-leaf men-wrath of thanks.
Sampling of some of the tables\booths:
Red Oak Grove - a Neopagan Welsh Druidic group.
Sacred Wind Sanctuary - community of Earth-based faiths. Note: they have having a Samhain Festival, Nov. 1, 4:30 – 10:00 pm in Howell, NJ, $10 donation or $5 with potluck donation – festive drum circle, handmade crafts, and fun. (I already have reservations for a big birthday event that day so I can’t make it – otherwise I would be planning to attend.)
Witches Unite.com (The Black Hat Society) – worldwide lauch Oct. 31, 2010
Pagan Veterans of the USA (no website listed on their handouts)
Karen Bianco – Angel Essence Massage
Nancy Tursi - medium, psychic
Raven Lilies – spiritually inspired creations, woodburning designs. Just starting out no website yet, email: raven.lilies@gmail.com
Sun & Moon Metaphsyical Shoppe.
A World Apart – jewelry, gifts, new age items.
Wee Witches – handmade items (soaps, herbal teas, magical tools, wooden witches and more)
Water Gap Hiking Sticks – walking sticks, solar and green products
Wizards Towers – beads and gifts, special orders welcome
Miracles by Angel (no website) – portraits, muruals, custom designs (from photos), 856-669-8773
Thistlefish Studio (no website) – jewelry, 3D art, paintings, cards, 856-785-2727
Bright blessings, Lady Rose
