Rare Photos Show What Woodstock ‘69 Was Really Like

In 1969, something magical happened. Hundreds of thousands of Americans came to celebrate peace and love in what is now considered one of the biggest festivals in history. Woodstock was an event that defied expectations and proved that peace and love could be celebrated at a time when tensions were high.

It's hard to believe the festival was over 50 years ago now. Thankfully, we still have so many photos from inside Woodstock that showcase what those three days were like for the people who attended. Some of these images showcase a joyful event, while others... Not so much.

People abandoned their cars in gridlocked traffic to reach Woodstock

Before Woodstock, some weren't sure if the hype around the event was justified. They believed that it would end up being a disappointment and opted not to buy tickets. However, it seems that many others didn't agree with them. As the start of the festival approached, hundreds of thousands of people descended upon a dairy farm in Bethel, New York.

The immense interest in the event meant that traffic quickly built up 24 hours before it was meant to begin. The gridlock reportedly spread 20 miles away from the farm, leaving people stuck questioning whether they'd make it to Woodstock in time. Consequently, plenty of music fans abandoned their cars on the road and walked the rest of the journey.

Satchidananda Saraswati opened Woodstock with a prayer about peace and love

Fortunately, despite the traffic issues at Woodstock, thousands of people made it in time for the opening ceremony. While a standard festival might welcome a musician as an opening act, the person of choice for this event was a guru. Satchidananda Saraswati is now known as the Woodstock Guru after he shared a prayer of peace and love.

As we can see by taking a look inside Woodstock, Satchidananda had a large audience to share his message with, most of whom could relate to what he had to say. His desire to share peace and love is what had attracted many to attend the festival in the first place. So, his audience was understandably captivated at this moment.

Hundreds of thousands more people attended Woodstock than initially anticipated

When arranging for Woodstock's location, the organizers allegedly said they were only expecting up to 50,000 people. However, several days before the festival had even started, that many people had supposedly already shown up ready for the big event. This was a clear sign that Woodstock was going to be far bigger than anyone had anticipated.

Once the festival was in full swing, the number of people in attendance was allegedly over 400,000. One of these photos from Woodstock shows just how packed the area was. Many of them hadn't purchased tickets to be there, much to the dismay of those who had coughed up the cash in advance. Fortunately, it didn't cause a riot.

Peace and joy seemed to prosper at Woodstock, despite the issues

Personal space was something you seemingly had to sacrifice if you wanted to enjoy Woodstock '69. Anyone who didn't care for big crowds was not bound to enjoy the three-day festivities. Despite this, though, the event is often remembered as a joyful time. Satchidananda Saraswati opened the festival with peace and love, and that's how things remained.

Of course, Woodstock wasn't without its issues. There were plenty of things that potentially dampened the mood at times, at least for some guests. However, the notion of joy and celebration was never crushed, no matter what happened at the event. That's why Woodstock photos like these feel so authentic to the spirit of the festival.

Janis Joplin was one of the performers invited to play at Woodstock

Some of the musical acts that performed at Woodstock ‘69 were a big draw for those that attended the festival. However, there weren't actually that many scheduled to perform. One who was, though, was Janis Joplin. It was one of her earliest performances after leaving Big Brother & The Holding Company, so it was a pretty big deal.

Janis didn't know that at the time, though, nor was she given much time to prepare for the occasion. Apparently, she was only aware of Woodstock several days before the event and, like the organizers, underestimated how large it was going to be. Her brother later said that she found the festival to be “incredibly interesting and fun.”

Plenty of American flags at Woodstock were altered to highlight the peace sign

Given what was happening with the US when Woodstock occurred, you might be surprised that the nation's flag was present at the festival. In fact, it popped up plenty of times, sometimes as flags, other times as part of clothes. It seems that festival goers opted to celebrate the freedom that it's supposed to reflect.

Of course, some of the American flags at Woodstock weren't the same as the ones the rest of us are probably used to seeing. There were plenty of these flags that replaced the stars with the peace symbol. These had been around since the start of the Vietnam War as a means to oppose this conflict.

Creativity was rife at Woodstock, with many people engaging in artistic activities

While many people were there to listen to music, what happened at Woodstock ‘69 involved so much more than what went down on stage. After all, the full title of the festival was the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. So, it's perhaps no surprise that there was plenty of creativity happening throughout those three days that wasn't about music.

One of these photos from Woodstock shows a woman sewing a tapestry on the grass while enjoying the ambiance of the festival. She wasn't alone in engaging in this sort of activity, as many used the time to express themselves through art. Some people sold their creations to their fellow attendees, while others swapped them for stuff of equal value.

Water pumps at Woodstock were helpful, but there were some issues with them

What was great about Woodstock's numbers exceeding expectations is that more people got to experience such a significant moment in history. Unfortunately, the organizers weren't prepared for so many people to show up, meaning attendees faced substantial issues throughout the festival. This included problems regarding using the bathroom, with toilet facilities lacking throughout the farm.

Another issue related to people gaining access to fresh water. Thankfully, there were various water pumps around so that visitors could get something to drink and avoid dehydration. However, compared to the number of attendees at Woodstock, these were seemingly few and far between. Plus, they left the surrounding fields wet and muddy, which wasn't always ideal.

Woodstock was held on a dairy farm belonging to Max Yasgur

If it wasn't for Max Yasgur, who knows if Woodstock ‘69 ever would have happened. It was his dairy farm that the festival was held on, with Max reportedly agreeing to act as host for $50,000 in compensation. Although some people opposed holding the event in Bethel, their resistance wasn't enough to stop it in its tracks.

Knowing what happened at Woodstock, we have to wonder if Max would have joined them if he'd been aware of all that would play out here. After all, he didn't agree to host quite so many people on his land. Then again, his farm will forever be a part of history, so maybe that was worth the crowds and mess.

Max reportedly left some of his animals on the farm during Woodstock

Given that Max Yasgur owned a dairy farm, it should perhaps be no surprise that he had animals living on his land before Woodstock. What might be a surprise, though, is that the man left some of these animals there when the festivities kicked off. This could have been a problem, given how many people showed up for the event.

Of course, there wasn't much risk of the attendees doing much harm to the animals. After all, these people were all about peace and love, so they weren't looking to upset the creatures. However, the sheer number of visitors might have spooked the cows and caused accidents to occur. Thankfully, it doesn't seem as though that was the case.

Dozens of doctors reportedly helped out at Woodstock for free

While the cows might not have trampled anyone at Woodstock, the festival wasn't without injury. That's to be expected, though, when you have hundreds of thousands of people crammed onto a farm that was supposed to have a maximum of 50,000. Fortunately, the majority of the incidents were reportedly minor, such as people getting cuts.

One of the photos from inside Woodstock shows several people working in a first aid tent set up by those attending the festival. Dozens of doctors reportedly agreed to help care for those who needed it without being paid. They were apparently motivated by the atmosphere of love and kindness that Woodstock exuded and felt that money would spoil that.

Journalists were present at Woodstock, and some tried to portray the festival accurately

When talk of Woodstock ‘69 first emerged, the media painted it as a disaster in the making. In some cases, that continued once the event began, with publications focusing on the negative aspects of the overcrowded festival. Not every journalist was interested in painting Woodstock out to be the worst thing to happen in recent history, though.

Barney Collier was one writer who felt such a way, reportedly refusing to write about Woodstock unless he could showcase the event in his way. Like the people pictured here working in not the best conditions, he'd seen the highs and lows of the festival and wished to portray it accurately. Barney’s editors relented and let him tell his story.

Joan Baez saw an increase in popularity after performing at Woodstock

While some of the performers at Woodstock were definitely known and a huge draw for audiences, that wasn't the case with everyone. Fortunately, many of those who were less popular than others on the stage soon saw an increase in support after the event. Joan Baez was one such person, with her set on the first night catapulting her success.

Even though she didn't start performing until around 1 am, many people listened to her setlist and enjoyed it thoroughly. She played 14 songs that night while a light rain fell over the audience. Years after Woodstock, Joan told Rolling Stone that she had a "lovely time" and appreciated that she was given her moment next to some big names. 

People had ways to navigate and stay up-to-date at Woodstock, despite not having smartphones

Navigating a festival nowadays can be tough, but there are things to make it easier. For instance, smartphones and GPS mean that keeping in touch with friends and finding your way is less of a challenge. Unfortunately, people didn't have that in 1969. That wasn't ideal, especially with Woodstock being more crowded than the venue could really handle.

Luckily, there were still things that helped in this regard, particularly with navigation. For instance, those trying to find the event need only follow the stream of traffic to locate the farm. What's more, a member of the production staff named Chip announced news through loudspeakers around the festival to keep everyone up-to-date on relevant information.

Rain was on and off throughout Woodstock ‘69, not that some people minded

While an outdoor festival might seem great on paper, such an event is always at risk of being affected by the weather. From heatwaves to downpours, there are so many ways that this can spoil the fun. In the case of Woodstock ‘69, it was rain that apparently put a damper on things throughout the event.

This was on and off throughout the three-day experience, not that everyone let it get to them. Those who were passionate about watching their favorite performers and reveling in the peace and love vibe simply put up with the miserable weather. Of course, it was sometimes hard to do that when the rain delayed a performer's set.

Mud was a problem at Woodstock ‘69 because of the frequent rain

While some people might not have been that bothered about getting wet at Woodstock, this weather did more than just soak attendees through. The festival was on a farm, which meant that the ground underneath everyone's feet was all grass and dirt. When that gets wet, it turns into mud, which then makes things a lot worse.

As one of the Woodstock photos shows, the festival had plenty of that stuff across the three days. Some didn't mind the mud, even taking their shoes off and letting their feet sink into it as part of the experience. For others, though, it made the festival that little bit more miserable and made it hard to have fun.

Some people found creative ways to try and keep the rain at bay

The people at Woodstock ‘69 had two choices when the heavens opened. They could either let the rain get them down and spoil this unique moment in history, or they could find ways to cope with the poor weather and continue to enjoy themselves. One of the many photos from inside Woodstock shows someone who apparently did the latter.

While a chair is normally for sitting on, it proved to be a useful piece of headgear in this situation. Sure, it wasn't a perfect way of keeping the rain at bay, but at least it did something. Evidently, it wasn't just with music and arts and crafts that the people of Woodstock let their creativity shine through.

Some Woodstock attendees crafted their own shelters in lieu of tents

It's common to see tents everywhere at festivals. They provide shelter for attendees and are pretty easy to transport, so they make a lot of sense. Not many people had them at Woodstock, though, though it seems that didn't matter. People were apparently skilled enough to put their own shelters together during their stay in Bethel.

Here, we have one of the pictures from Woodstock that shows a shelter that was cleverly constructed using sticks, grass, and leaves. While it won't have kept the rain out entirely, it will have offered far more protection than if they'd just slept under the stars. Hopefully, it was sturdy enough to stay together once the winds picked up.

The sound reportedly didn't travel as far as it needed to during Woodstock

Finding ways to keep entertained at Woodstock ‘69 was pretty important. After all, not everyone could enjoy what was happening on the stage. It seems that there weren't enough loudspeakers placed around the farm to ensure that everyone could hear who was performing. Even though the festival had sound engineer Bill Hanley, the people further back were at a loss.

This was just another example of the event's unexpected popularity causing problems. As the organizers hadn't anticipated so many people showing up, they didn't have enough equipment to keep everyone satisfied. Fortunately, the attendees didn't make much of a fuss, reportedly resorting to making their own fun if they couldn't enjoy what was happening on stage.

Jerry Garcia's set with his band was plagued by issues at Woodstock

Jerry Garcia and his band were one of the acts that people were eager to see at Woodstock. This photo from the festival shows the man behind the scenes before their performance. Unfortunately, while he might have been all smiles here, what happened on stage didn't necessarily leave him with a lot to be happy about.

It seems that the band faced technical difficulties throughout their performance, partly because of the weather. With rain on the stage, there were risks of Garcia and his bandmates being electrocuted. Blue sparks were apparently flying out of their guitars. What's more, the group's heavy equipment also reportedly crushed the stage, while plenty of their songs got delayed.

The governor of New York allegedly wanted the National Guard to keep watch at Woodstock

For any festival, security is a necessity. You can't have so many people in one place and not have anyone around to keep an eye on everyone's behavior. Once again, though, the reality of what happened at Woodstock was far different from expectations. After all, organizers weren't expecting the number of people who actually showed up for the festival.

The governor of New York was reportedly so concerned about safety at Woodstock that they considered enlisting the National Guard to help. Bringing in such people, though, would have caused more issues than it solved. The people at this festival weren't there for trouble - they were all about peace and love. However, the National Guard could have sparked conflict.

Food supplies reportedly ran low quickly due to the number of attendees

The lack of preparation for Woodstock ‘69 caused all sorts of issues for organizers. There weren't enough supplies to keep everyone happy, particularly regarding food. Apparently, the festival ran out of food within a day because the number of attendees far exceeded expectations. This ran the risk of people going hungry throughout the rest of the event.

The hungrier everyone became, the greater the likelihood that conflict would arise and turn this joyful moment in history into one of carnage. It didn't help that concession stands reportedly charged attendees high prices for food. This increased the possibility that fights would break out and people would forget that they were at Woodstock to spread peace and love.

Woodstock resolved the issues surrounding food supplies in several ways

Thankfully, there wasn't mass conflict at Woodstock ‘69 because of food supply issues. One of the reasons for this is that the US Army was called in to airlift food to the site. This had the potential to upset attendees, given how the people at Woodstock felt about the army's involvement with Vietnam at the time.

Luckily, the fact the army came bearing gifts of food meant that everyone kept the peace. Another way that attendees avoided going hungry was through their fellow guests. Plenty of people banded together to help feed everyone with what supplies they had. Some of the locals got involved, too, baking bread and making sandwiches for those who needed them.

Max Yasgur's farm wasn't the first location that organizers sought to hold Woodstock at

For those who don't know, Woodstock is actually a real place in New York. However, this wasn't where the festival was hosted. That's because the organizers struggled to find a suitable location for what they wanted the event to be. At one point, though, they did set their sights on Howard Mills Industrial Park in upstate New York.

However, Woodstock never ended up taking place here because of conflict with the locals. Much like in Bethel, not everyone was into the idea of there being a festival in the area. However, in this instance, the opposition was strong enough to thwart any plans to have it here. That's how the organizers ended up at Max Yasgur's farm.

Some of Woodstock's most eccentric fashion came from the Hog Farm

Fashion trends come and go, and as one of these Woodstock photos demonstrates, the 1960s had some wild ones. Something that people saw a lot of at this festival was fringe jackets and tie-dye attire. Not only were they the norm at the time, but they were popular among the types of attendees at Woodstock.

You also had some eccentric fashion choices like what this man was pictured wearing. He was apparently part of the Hog Farm organization, which helped out quite a bit at Woodstock. They built trails, set up a free kitchen, and acted as security as well. Their efforts to keep everyone in line allegedly involved “cream pies and seltzer bottles.”

Two people hugging is considered one of the most iconic photos from Woodstock

Out of all of the pictures from Woodstock ‘69, this one is considered one of the most iconic. It showcases Bobbi Kelly and Nick Ercoline hugging as they enjoy the atmosphere around them. To many, this photo reflects what the festival was meant to embody: coming together and celebrating the beauty of choosing peace and love over conflict and hate.

The image was seemingly taken during one of the dry periods of Woodstock, with the people around them not huddling under shelters and trying to stay dry. There's a sense of calm about this photo that may seem in conflict with what some would expect from a festival. That just goes to show how unique Woodstock was, though.

The prospect of freedom proved to be a huge draw for people attending Woodstock

There are all sorts of reasons that might motivate someone to attend a festival, and it was the same with Woodstock. However, there's no denying that the attraction for many of the hundreds of thousands of visitors was the promise of freedom and the celebration of peace. The event offered a break from the harshness of the real world.

Those who felt as though their lives had been restricted for years saw Woodstock as an opportunity to truly let loose in whatever way felt right. For some, that meant ditching their shoes and enjoying some much-needed time with like-minded friends, just as these women did. They weren't looking for a revolution - they simply wanted to enjoy themselves.

Some people resorted to sleeping in a graveyard because there was nowhere else to go

As we know, Max Yasgur's farm wasn't big enough to safely accommodate everyone and all the facilities they needed. Pictures from Woodstock have shown just how packed the festival was with people, leaving little room for people to set up camps. As a result, plenty of attendees had to search further afield to find somewhere suitable to sleep.

It seems that several people apparently viewed graveyards as an ideal spot to get some shut-eye. While some would be afraid to spend a night in such a place, this lot was seemingly unbothered. They needed somewhere to rest, and this was supposedly as good a spot as any. Hopefully, they didn't have any ghostly visitors in the night.

People at Woodstock ‘69 found some thrill-seeking ways to pass the time

With Woodstock being as packed as it was, a lot more happened here than what most people know about. You had tons of groups breaking off and doing their own thing because they couldn't hear the music or were passing the time between performances. Apparently, one of them created a sculpture out of trees, as pictured here.

The guys in this photo used the structure for all sorts, including throwing themselves onto the ground below. Fortunately, there was hay there to act as a cushion, so they didn't harm themselves with their stunts. Another guy climbed to the top of one tree and perched precariously up there while reading a book, as you do.

Woodstock was criticized as an outrageous display of indulgence by some

Woodstock ‘69 is remembered as an iconic moment in history that was a defining event for the counterculture generation. At the time, though, feelings about the festival were incredibly mixed. It evidently appealed to many people, given the attendance figures exceeded expectations. However, plenty criticized the event as an outrageous display of indulgence at a time of great conflict. 

They seemingly didn't think it appropriate to be having a festival like this when the US was in the grips of war with Vietnam. Of course, it was that conflict that partly motivated organizers to set up Woodstock in the first place. Plus, there were always going to be people who disagreed with the festival because of its anti-establishment vibe.

Chilling by the lake proved to be a great way to spend some time at Woodstock

The weather at Woodstock was seemingly quite a mixed bag. At times, there was heavy rain that affected the performances on stage and dampened the mood of those attending the event. Other times, there was warmth and sunshine, which meant chilling out while partly dressed was an option. The next of these Woodstock photos showcases the latter.

Further afield from the focal point of Woodstock was a lake where people could cool off and entertain themselves while enjoying the festival's peaceful vibe. Whether someone wanted to go for a swim, dip their toes in the water, or just have somewhere to sunbathe, this spot was ideal. Plus, it was more detached from the large crowds elsewhere.

Many people who attended Woodstock used certain substances during the festival

No matter what, there's something that will always be associated with Woodstock. We're referring to the use of illegal substances, which were reportedly rife at the festival. People didn't even bother hiding their use of this stuff, openly advertising where to buy it and setting up stalls to supply whoever needed a fix during those three days.

The amount that was exchanging hands and being used was so high that organizers didn't bother telling attendees to stop. Instead, they allegedly warned visitors what substances to avoid so that they wouldn't endanger their health. This was essential, especially as plenty of medical aid required at Woodstock was tied to the use and overuse of such substances.

Some people slept during the day because certain musical acts performed late at night

Woodstock ‘69 was apparently abuzz with energy throughout the three days, even at times when people would normally be asleep. That's probably because some of the performers didn't take to the stage until the early hours of the morning. For instance, Creedence Clearwater Revival reportedly didn't start playing until three in the morning. That left attendees with a choice.

People could either miss the band altogether, try to stay awake during their set, or catch some shut-eye earlier, so they were awake at 3 am. Those that opted for the last option typically caught some Z's during the day, dozing off wherever they could for a couple of hours. They apparently ended up sleeping in some odd places.

Not everyone had a good time when they were at Woodstock ‘69

We often like to think of Woodstock as being this revolutionary event that brought joy to thousands and inspired so many people to spread peace and love. Unfortunately, that wasn't entirely the case. While the festival was by no means the disaster that some publications at the time suggested it was, not everyone enjoyed themselves at the event.

As these photos from Woodstock show, the event was a real misery for some people. The weather was likely to blame for a lot of the negativity. It made the ground incredibly muddy, leaving people's belongings filthy and making attendees feel that little bit grosser. Combined with all the trash everywhere, this tainted the atmosphere of the festival.

Fences apparently proved useful for drying clothes that were wet from the rain

Thanks to the temperamental weather at Woodstock, many people found themselves with their clothes soaked through. Wearing these wasn't really an option, especially with the risk of catching pneumonia. However, not everyone packed enough clothes to account for the problematic weather. That's where solutions like this came in, with people finding genius ways to help dry their outfits out.

During the sunnier spells at Woodstock, hanging clothes on a fence was an excellent way to help them dry quicker. Of course, not everyone had access to something like this at the festival. However, for those who'd managed to set up camp near one, the fences proved to be highly beneficial. At least, until it started raining again, anyway.

Joe Cocker's set was interrupted by a thunderstorm that affected his tie-dye shirt

Another of Woodstock's legendary performers was Joe Cocker. He hit the stage on the Sunday afternoon in what proved to be a pivotal moment in his career. One of the songs he performed that day was a cover of 'With a Little Help From My Friends,' a song that apparently really won the crowd over.

It came just in time, too, because right after he finished, a thunderstorm hit. This led to a two-hour delay on the stage that left thousands of his fans soaked through. When Joe took his tie-dye shirt off afterward, the colors had apparently seeped through the material and onto his skin. It left behind quite an eye-catching pattern.

Several big names reportedly turned down Woodstock for various reasons

One of the acts that reportedly benefited most from Woodstock ‘69 was Santana. When they performed on the Saturday evening, they weren't as popular as some of the other names at the festival. However, this proved to be their standout moment and helped propel them to success after the event. So many other acts could have reaped the same rewards.

However, believing that Woodstock wasn't going to be the monumental event it turned out to be, plenty of people turned the festival down. That included Bob Dylan, who apparently didn't care for many of the artists set to perform at the event. The Beatles also reportedly declined an invitation to attend Woodstock, supposedly because Cynthia Lennon wasn't invited.

Ravi Shankar apparently had a frightening experience at Woodstock because of the crowds

Some of these people who turned down Woodstock may well have regretted their decision after the fact. Although the festival had its issues, many of the performers who'd been there benefitted from their involvement. Plus, most of them seemed to have pretty great experiences during their time at Woodstock. Sadly, that wasn't the case for everyone.

Someone who reportedly didn't have the best experience was Ravi Shankar, who performed on the Friday night. Ravi didn't enjoy himself because of the sheer number of people there, allegedly saying that the lack of crowd control made Woodstock quite frightening. He was supposedly worried about his safety while on the stage, although everything turned out fine.

Ambulances struggled to reach the festival due to the traffic at Woodstock

Woodstock wasn't devoid of people able to provide medical assistance to those who needed it. However, there was only so much that these doctors could do. If someone ended up seriously injured or requiring significant medical attention, they were typically at a loss. Unfortunately, they couldn't simply call for an ambulance to come to their aid in such an instance.

With the roads blocked with traffic as people abandoned their cars and scrambled to reach Woodstock, ambulances were unable to make it to the festival. This meant that anyone who needed help was at a loss, including the man pictured here. He was reportedly thrown from the trunk of a car after a fender bender and hit his head.

The US Army helped evacuates hundreds of people requiring medical assistance via helicopter

With ambulances unable to reach the farm because of traffic, the organizers had to resort to other means. This resulted in them having the US Army bring supplies and escort people to the hospital via helicopter. With Woodstock impossible to reach on the ground, the only alternative was to go by air, not that everyone was thrilled about this.

The involvement of the US Army raised tensions with some attendees, who wanted to stop them from reaching the festival. However, they ultimately chose not to stand in the way once they understood that the army was only there to help people and not ruin the event. Several hundred people were reportedly evacuated via helicopter by the end of Woodstock.

Thousands of children attended Woodstock and enjoyed themselves

Woodstock ‘69 wasn't necessarily an event that many people would think of as child-friendly. The large number of substances enjoyed at this festival, along with the weather problems and the dangers these brought, meant it probably wasn't the best place to take a kid. However, reports say that thousands of youngsters apparently attended Woodstock in 1969.

Parents who believed in spreading peace and love likely felt that this was an experience that would benefit their kids. We're sure that plenty of people who attended Woodstock as a child grew up grateful to be involved in such a monumental moment in history. However, they probably weren't all on their best behavior at the time.

There was a lot of downtime at Woodstock that people could pass in all manner of ways

Some people like to plan every last minute of their lives. Others just go with the flow and live in the moment. Those who fell into the latter category benefited most at Woodstock, where people were free to enjoy themselves as they pleased. Sure, there was a schedule for performers on the stage, but everything else was pretty relaxed.

The fact that there was a lot of downtime at the festival was even more of a reason for people to just live in the moment and do what they wanted. Whether that meant getting to know strangers, creating and selling art, or simply blowing bubbles, there was so much potential for passing the time.

There was plenty of music at Woodstock ‘69 away from the stage

Some of the best musicians at the time took to the Woodstock stage in 1969. However, they weren't the only ones bringing tunes to the festival. Plenty of people were also making music away from the crowds as they sought to entertain themselves and other people. There were all sorts of songs coming out of these small groups.

Plenty of visitors to Woodstock came prepared to make music, too, packing their assortment of instruments before joining the miles of traffic. Some of these performers were likely motivated to play their tunes by the substances they'd enjoyed beforehand. Nevertheless, their songs helped to fuel the atmosphere of peace and love that made Woodstock such a special event.

People who wanted to clean themselves at Woodstock had very limited options

Hygiene is important, especially at a festival like Woodstock. While some of the attendees might not have cared about cleaning themselves during the three-day event, not everyone felt the same. Plenty of people sought to look after themselves, not that there were many facilities to help them do that. The water pumps were the best things they had.

As anyone who's ever tried to wash their hair under a tap knows, this isn't the most efficient way to clean yourself. Unfortunately, when it's 1969, and you're at a festival that isn't prepared to deal with hundreds of thousands of people, there's not much else you can do. At least they had something to assist them.

Yoga and meditation were common activities at Woodstock

Woodstock wasn't just an opportunity for people to enjoy great music and spend several days celebrating the joy of peace and love. It also gave people a chance to escape from their lives and actually have the time to focus on some introspection. Where better to discover inner peace than at a festival like this one?

For that reason, it wasn't uncommon to see people doing some meditation and yoga at Woodstock. Those who followed the teachings of Satchidananda Saraswati were particularly invested in making time for such activities. They knew that failing to do so was a waste of an excellent opportunity when they were surrounded by so many like-minded people.

Not everyone at Woodstock could reach the stage and enjoy the big-name performers 

When someone attends a festival, it's usually because they're passionate about seeing certain performers live. They're eager to get a great spot when that singer or band is set to take the stage and feel disappointed when they're not successful. Unfortunately, getting close to the front isn't easy, especially when the place is packed like it was at Woodstock.

Of course, Woodstock was made worse by the fact that the sound from the stage didn't travel as far as it needed to. So, those who were stuck at the back couldn't enjoy the performers at all. It's no wonder many groups broke off and performed their own songs, helping others to still have a good time, despite the disappointment.

Plenty of people who attended Woodstock were the vegetarians and vegans of their day

Even though Woodstock ‘69 was all about peace and love, not everyone at the festival was going to bond. People are simply too individual for hundreds of thousands of them to all get along perfectly. However, while everyone is unique, plenty of those who attended Woodstock did share similar values, such as the one on show here.

Vegetarianism and veganism weren't as big in the 1960s as they are now. However, many of the people in the US who were passionate about not eating animals back then likely saw the appeal of Woodstock. So, even though this man was the only one here with such a sign, we highly doubt he was alone in his activism.

A revolving stage was reportedly planned for Woodstock, but it unfortunately broke

It's incredible to think how different Woodstock might have been if the organizers had more time to plan everything. By the time they'd confirmed a location, there was a rush to get everything prepared. They ended up having to sacrifice some of their initial plans because of time constraints, including their desire to build a revolving stage.

If this had come to fruition, performers would have been able to get themselves ready to play while another was on stage. Once the first act was done, the stage would simply spin around, and the next lot would start performing. Unfortunately, the heavy stage equipment broke the mechanism for this, something that they couldn't resolve within the time limit.

Plenty of relevant literature was apparently on sale at Woodstock

Certain substances and crafts weren't the only things on sale at Woodstock. Another thing attendees at the festival could buy were books related to the interests that connected many of them. These texts covered things like religion, war, peace, and even some classic literature. The people selling this literature were reportedly hoping to inspire a generation of people.

We've no idea how many books were ultimately sold over the course of those three days. However, we expect that these stalls saw plenty of interest as people sought to occupy their time at the festival. One of these photos from Woodstock shows what such a stall looked like, although there's no indication of its popularity.

People were apparently willing to sleep on top of cars at Woodstock

It seems people really were willing to sleep wherever they could at Woodstock. Not only were cemeteries seemingly fair game for snoozy guests but so too were vehicles. These two men were photographed passed out on top of a car. We can only hope that it belonged to one of them and not someone else at the festival.

There are far more comfortable places to sleep than on top of a car, even somewhere as busy as Woodstock. We're sure there was a spot on a field somewhere that would have offered a better night's sleep. Even the inside of the vehicle would have done them more good. Perhaps this was their way of keeping thieves at bay?

Tim Hardin was a relatively unknown performer when he was invited to play at Woodstock

For every performer at Woodstock, the festival did wonderful things for their career. However, there's no denying that for those whose careers hadn't taken off yet, the event had a monumental impact on their future. Tim Hardin was one such performer, with the musician relatively unknown at the time compared to some of the names at the festival.

Woodstock apparently wished to showcase rising talent along with celebrating those who had already made a name for themselves. So, Hardin was brought in to perform for the crowds on the Friday, where he charmed the masses with just his voice and a guitar. He was reportedly paid $2,000 for the gig and was incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

Vibrantly painted buses were all over the farm at Woodstock

Plenty of people might have struggled to reach Woodstock in their cars and been forced to walk to the festival. However, that doesn't mean there weren't vehicles at the festival, with plenty of them parked on the farm. Many of these were buses that were vibrantly painted, something that is considered symbolic of the hippy population.

While these might have taken up space at the venue, they also had their perks. For one, their roofs offered somewhere for people to sit and get a better view of what was happening around them. Moreover, the interior provided a safe space for when the weather turned sour and drenched the thousands that didn't have anywhere to hide.

The poor weather motivated some people to leave Woodstock earlier than expected

Trying to keep your spirits up when you're stuck in the rain can be quite difficult. That's especially the case when you're at a festival and have to contend with standing in mud and everything getting dirty on top of being wet. This proved too much for some people, who opted to leave Woodstock before the end of the festival.

Perhaps if it had been easier for them to clean themselves up and keep everything dry, they might not have made such a hasty retreat? Of course, plenty of attendees were still willing to deal with the bad weather and all the problems it caused because they knew this was a unique experience. Nothing was going to make them leave.

Max Yasgur was celebrated by the crowds for allowing Woodstock to go ahead

To those who attended Woodstock ‘69, Max Yasgur was a hero. They knew next to nothing about the man, but the fact that he'd offered up his farm for the festival meant he was worth celebrating. When he greeted the audience on stage at Woodstock, he was met with an immensely positive reception from thousands of people.

Thankfully, someone was there to capture the moment inside Woostock, and it's notable for more than just the response that Yasgur received. It appears there was another person of note in this picture, and he's standing in the bottom left. If you don't recognize him, it's Martin Scorsese. He was there making a documentary about Woodstock, which was a hit.

Woodstock was ultimately made free when it became clear there was no alternative

It must be frustrating when you spend money on something only to find out later that other people are getting the same thing for free. Unfortunately, with Woodstock, there wasn't much that the organizers could do. Thanks to the time crunch, they reached a point when they had to decide between finishing the stage or putting up all the fencing.

They ultimately opted for the former, meaning people could easily get into the festival without paying for a ticket. Given the number of music fans showing up, there seemed no point in trying to stop anyone from doing this. So, Woodstock was ultimately made free for everyone, which only convinced more people to travel to Bethel and attend the festival.

Jimi Hendrix's set at Woodstock came just over a year before his tragic passing

If there was one person that people attended Woodstock in particular to see, it was Jimi Hendrix. He was at the height of his fame when the festival occurred. So, having him on the list of performers was bound to attract a lot of people. Unfortunately, because Hendrix was scheduled for the end of the festival, not everyone saw him.

Those who'd been put off by the poor weather missed his iconic set as the three-day event came to a close. Thousands still stuck around to watch him perform, and we expect they're glad they did, too. After all, it was only the following year that Hendrix suddenly passed away. Those who missed him at Woodstock probably regretted it deeply.

The trash left behind by Woodstock resulted in a huge cleanup operation

Trash is a problem at any festival. When you have so many people all in one place, it's inevitable that things won't be disposed of properly. Unfortunately, Woodstock ‘69 wasn't immune to this. In fact, the level of garbage that accumulated over the space of three days was a real problem. The cleanup operation afterward was no small task.

Thankfully, there were plenty of people who attended the festival that reportedly stuck around to help with this effort. A group of them even made a giant peace sign out of the trash, which helicopters could see from overhead. Hopefully, their efforts made things easier for Max Yasgur, who hadn't expected so much mess when he agreed to host Woodstock.

Things could have gone a lot worse at Woodstock ‘69 than they actually did

Woodstock could have easily been a disaster. Any event expecting so many people and exceeding that number by a significant amount is a recipe for such a thing. There could have been tons of lives lost, a serious spread of illness, immense conflict among attendees, and so much more. However, that didn't happen at Woodstock.

Yes, there were reportedly a few tragic passings, and hundreds of people required medical attention throughout the festival. However, considering how seriously things could have gone wrong, everything worked out pretty well. That's a testament to how relaxed most of the attendees were at Woodstock ‘69 and how much they genuinely valued their message of peace and love.

Some people weren't afraid to climb sound towers, despite the dangers this posed

It's also amazing that there ended up being as few passings and injuries as there were, given some of the things that people did at Woodstock. Not only were attendees creating structures out of trees and jumping off them, but they were also climbing all over scaffolding too. Doing that sort of thing nowadays would get someone in trouble.

Luckily, despite taking their lives into their hands, these men reportedly made it down from this sound tower in one piece. That might be surprising, given the number of substances going around at Woodstock that could have impaired a person's balance and coordination. Perhaps the people pictured here didn't partake in such substances, so they were of sound mind?

Efforts to replicate Woodstock's success have been a huge disaster

Despite the issues that happened at the festival, Woodstock 1969 will always be fondly remembered by millions. It certainly won't ever be seen in the same light as the Woodstocks that came several decades later. There have been several efforts to replicate the event's success, but they've never managed to capture what made the original Woodstock such a delight.

The 1999 festival, in particular, did a terrible job of this. Also held in New York, the event faced tons of controversy, including overpriced food and water, terrible sanitation, and excessive heat. On top of this, the behavior of the attendees was nothing like it was before, with reports of assault, harassment, and violence. What's more, more people passed away.