If the current state of American culture makes you want to crawl under a rock—or perhaps a composting toilet—take heart: there is a clearing in the woods where harmony, hope, and fiddle tunes still reign supreme. It’s called the Summer Hoot, and it’s happening August 22 to 24 at the Ashokan Center in Olivebridge. Now in its 13th year, the Hoot is not so much a festival as a love letter to a more humane way of being: inclusive, unplugged, and deeply rooted in music, nature, and community.
The brainchild of Ruth Ungar and Mike Merenda (aka The Mammals), the Hoot is equal parts hootenanny, family reunion, permaculture primer, and upstate utopia. The lineup spans legends and locals, from headliner Natalie Merchant—still the poetic powerhouse who once fronted 10,000 Maniacs—to neo-soul alchemist Son Little, gonzo troubadour Steve Poltz, and hometown heroes Al Olender, Olivia K & the Parkers, and The Mammals themselves. Also on tap: Jay Ungar & Molly Mason, funk fusioners What?, mbira dreamer Joachim Cooder, and a joyful forest floor full of upstarts, jam bands, puppet theaters, clog dancers, and kids with cardboard instruments they made 10 minutes ago.
The stages (built by volunteers in a former sheep meadow) are just the beginning. There’s an instrument petting zoo, hula hoop classes, yoga, guided hikes, smoothie tastings, and gong baths to recalibrate your chakras or just nap under a tree. For those craving intimacy, the Pewter Shop Sessions offer stripped-down acoustic sets. And every corner of the Ashokan Center—its solar-powered cabins, historic barns, and 385 acres of Catskill woods—is imbued with the spirit of communal stewardship. You can almost hear Pete Seeger’s banjo echoing in the hills.
Accessibility isn’t just a buzzword here—it’s baked into the ethos. All kids under 18 get in free, and there are “give what you can” tickets at the gate. If you’ve got time instead of money, volunteer for a couple shifts and they’ll hand you a weekend pass and a campsite. Proceeds support Ashokan’s mission of outdoor education and cultural programming for kids and adults, from fifth graders discovering frog song to square dancers rediscovering joy.
You can camp (quiet or noisy), sleep in a bunk, or splurge on a private room. Expect good coffee, great donuts, and locally sourced eats from vendors like Samosa Shack and Blue Pig Ice Cream. And if you’re feeling fancy, VIP “Taste the Garden” tickets include a Friday garden party with Jay & Molly and other delights.
The Summer Hoot isn’t escapism—it’s reclamation. Of joy, of purpose, of what it means to gather and sing with strangers under the stars. Come for the music, stay for the magic. Just don’t forget your compostable pint cup.
More info and tickets at hoot.love.
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This article appears in August 2025.
The organizers say this event raises money for the Ashokan Center. However, based on my personal experience and the information available to me, I have not seen clear evidence of funds being raised for that purpose. I believe it’s important for nonprofits to maintain transparency and accountability to their mission, so the community can be sure they’re supporting genuine charitable work rather than personal projects.