A long-running counterculture festival, the Rainbow Family of Living Light gathering, scheduled for the first week of July, has been ordered to shut down by U.S. Forest Service officials.

Event Cancelled Due to Lack of Permits

The event, set to take place in California’s Plumas National Forest, has been halted due to the absence of proper permits and concerns about environmental impact. On June 25, the Forest Service issued an order for participants to vacate the area, warning that failure to comply could result in fines up to $5,000 or six months in jail. The Forest Service expressed concerns over the more than 500 individuals already camping in the area and the potential environmental and cultural resource impacts.

“Our priority is maintaining public health and safety and the appropriate stewardship of public lands and natural resources,” stated Chris Carlton, Plumas National Forest Supervisor, on June 26. The gathering, which embodies a hippie commune ethos, has roots dating back over 50 years and typically convenes during the first week of July.

Origins and Legacy of the Rainbow Family

The Rainbow Family gathering began in 1972 in Colorado, initiated partly by military veterans dealing with issues such as alcoholism, drug dependence, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The event aims to create a communal environment reminiscent of Burning Man or a Grateful Dead concert, with attendees camping on public land.

The number of participants varies annually, but this year, the U.S. Forest Service estimated attendance could reach 10,000. The gathering has been characterized as an “unauthorized noncommercial group use incident” by the Forest Service, which highlighted its potential significant impacts on traffic, local communities, resources, residents, and visitors.

The festival’s history is marked by occasional conflicts with local law enforcement over issues like drug use, sanitation, and environmental damage. Despite efforts by many attendees to minimize their ecological footprint, previous gatherings have seen incidents and arrests.

Local Response and Environmental Concerns

Plumas National Forest Supervisor Chris Carlton acknowledged the influx of visitors during late June and early July, who come to enjoy both summer recreation and local events around the July Fourth holiday. He emphasized the Forest Service’s commitment to working with an incident team to mitigate adverse effects on local communities and the environment.

“Every year, the Plumas National Forest sees a large surge in visitors… We understand the addition of the Rainbow Family Gathering raises concerns about additional impacts to our local communities, natural resources, and environment,” Carlton stated in a press release.

Local officials have expressed support for the Forest Service’s decision. Lassen County Supervisor Jason Ingram praised the move on social media, citing concerns over legality, fire risk, environmental impact, and disrespect towards local tribes. “Events are fine, but not events that blatantly disregard the law and endanger our land and community fire safety,” Ingram wrote on Facebook.

Future Implications

The shutdown of the Rainbow Family gathering underscores ongoing tensions between large-scale events and environmental stewardship. As the Forest Service and local authorities work to manage public lands, this incident highlights the necessity for proper permitting and the potential ecological consequences of mass gatherings. Moving forward, organizers of such events will need to engage more collaboratively with authorities to ensure compliance and minimize environmental impacts, ensuring that traditions like the Rainbow Family gathering can continue in harmony with natural and community resources.