Despite the rain and the traffic jams, the mud, hunger and thirst, and beyond the confusion, a new nation had emerged into the glare provided by the moving photos we see.
At the festival, thousands were able to do things that would ordinarily be considered rebellious regarding whatever current sociological theory one might want to embrace. Swimming, canoeing, or running around scantily clad, believe it or not, stay up all night.
Impromptu Shelters
Many were carrying sleeping bags and tents, canned food and guitars, dressed in beads, leather, bandanas, and long gowns, the young people spoke of sleeping out under the stars and possible riots.
Impromptu shelters as we see here were common; as this man unwinds in the grass hut he built for the weekend.
Bringing Yoga to the West
As one of the great Yoga masters to bring the classical Yoga tradition to the West in the 1960s, Sri Swami Satchidananda taught Yoga postures and meditation.
He also introduced students to a vegetarian diet and a more compassionate lifestyle; these concepts influenced a generation and spawned a growing Yoga culture.
Coming of Age
Attendees even climbed up the sound tower to see the stage. The festival's overall panorama wove together elements drawn from their experiences and the artistry of the performances.
An article featured in The Rolling Stone magazine also explored the cultural implications of Woodstock on a personal level, it discussed how Woodstock represented a coming of age of personal freedom.
Woodstock's Message
From makeshift shelters to food stalls, festival attendees got creative in the absence of adequate facilities. The attendees endured the discomforts to relish in a lifestyle that was an expression of their independence.
While newspapers across the US continued to focus on the concert as a disaster area, network television news programs were quick to pick up on Woodstock's message.