An introduction to the festival topic -- The early years: herstory and production stories -- The Eden built by Eves: matriarchal structure -- In their own voices: interviews with festival performers -- Life stages: ceremonies and passages on the land -- The politics of discomfort: controversies and compromise -- There is a sense of humor here: trends in comedy and self-parody -- Festivals on the front lines: from sisterfire to camp sister spirit -- There's a nursing baby in the mosh pit: generational shift and change -- How I spent my summer vacation.