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Santana returns to Bethel Woods

By Patricio Robayo
Posted 9/2/22

Why was there so much traffic leading to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on a Sunday night? Was there an accident? Is everyone ok?

My GPS kept rerouting me via the backroads of Bethel, leading me …

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Santana returns to Bethel Woods

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Why was there so much traffic leading to Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on a Sunday night? Was there an accident? Is everyone ok?

My GPS kept rerouting me via the backroads of Bethel, leading me to the winding roads of Sullivan County through bungalow colonies and farms, until I emerged through the back entrance to the former site of Yasgur’s Dairy Farm.

I was greeted with the sight of cars at a standstill for at least a mile and rushing to the concert, thinking you were late; the line of vehicles can seem five miles long.

The cars were lined up, waiting to find that Goldie Locks parking space, not too far from the entrance to the venue yet close to the exit of the parking lot—with the hopes of escaping the crowd once the music is over.

Could Carlos Santana, along with Earth, Wind, and Fire, on August 21 draw these many people to return to the site of Woodstock 1969 festival?

Yes, of course, he can.

Carlos Santana graced the 69’ Woodstock stage 53 years ago—since then, he has won 10 Grammy Awards and three Latin Grammys. His return to Bethel was part of the Blessings and Miracles Tour, along with musical legends, Earth, Wind, and Fire.

The musical institution that is Earth, Wind, and Fire took to the stage and, for a full hour, played through their hits from their five-decade-long career in music.

Looking out to the lawn, a sea of people joined in and danced to classic hits such as “September” and “Let’s Groove.”

Before Santana took the stage, an incense stick was lit and placed next to Santana’s guitar effect pedals.

The band started to play “Soul Sacrifice,” the same song that opened up Santana’s set back in ’69.

Santana looked content and healthy after suffering a scare a few weeks back after collapsing on stage during a concert. It was later said that Santana suffered from heat exhaustion.

Santana showed no signs of ill health as he played his guitar through the many hits throughout his long career to a sold-out crowd at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Pavilion stage.

During the middle of Santana’s set, he reminisced on how 53 years ago he took to the stage during Woodstock 1969 after dropping LSD. Now he is back and felt blessed to bear witness to that night.

He said, in 1969, he was transported by helicopter to the stage when his perception started to change. He looked over to the side of the helicopter, and the sea of the people he once saw turned into a mesh of arms, flesh, and hair.

“They were all grooving, dancing with unity and harmony; that is why Woodstock was not gonna go away,” said Santana.

Before playing the musical scales on his guitar, he added that open part of your soul you forgot existed, “More than ever, we need the spirit of Woodstock in the world today.”

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