The Rainbow Lighthouse

Colorado in 1972, and Rainbow Family has continued to gather every year in the National Forests of North America and around the world. Although smaller, regional gatherings take place throughout the year, Nationals always takes place during the week of July 1-July 7, attracting between 10,000 and 25,000 people annually. This year's Nationals will be held in the state of Montana; the exact location will be determined at a Spring Council in June. Many people elect to stay at the gathering site several weeks early and several weeks afterwards to set up and then break down the temporary woodland city, which is constructed from a mixture of imported materials and the resources found at the site, such as fallen trees, stones, and clay. The population peaks during the pinnacle of the Gathering on July 4, beginning with a morning silence that is broken by a community prayer for world peace and followed by a full day of (acoustic) music, dancing, feasting, and celebration. The city runs on the principle of communal collaboration with everyone bringing and giving what time and resources they have. Food is donated to the many pop-up kitchens that are responsible for feeding the Gathering over the course of its duration, free of charge. The use of money to buy or sell anything is taboo, and prohibited items include alcohol, firearms, and sound amplifiers. At the close of the Gathering, Rainbow Family works to restore the environment to conditions better than found by burying compost piles, covering fire pits, and reseeding walking paths.