Lakeport >> Exactly two weeks after the start of the historic Valley Fire began raging through Lake County the community and nearby friends will gather in Lakeport’s Library Park today to heal from the recent crisis, organize the ongoing grassroots response and honor the waters that sustain and unite all life.
The fifth annual Hands Around Clear Lake Tribal Gathering and Healing Ceremony is an all-day event featuring live music and keynote speeches, an open mic and potluck, art and family activities, and on-the-spot community organization toward a stronger and more resilient Lake County.
With the impact of the recent fires, many people are displaced and devastated, and many more are concerned and wanting to help. Hands Around Clear Lake is an opportunity for people affected by the fire to come together and celebrate resilience. And it will be a chance for the entire community to organize around greater emergency preparedness and community resilience as we look forward and begin to rebuild.
The event will begin with a 7 a.m. sunrise ceremony, led by indigenous elders and healers from many backgrounds, to bless the water and the land and the people. The two-hour ceremony, held on the waterfront at Library Park in Lakeport, will also be broadcast on KPFZ 88.1 FM, Lake County Community Radio (and streaming free online at www.handsaroundclearlake.com) — so listeners can tune in from anywhere around the lake, touch the waters and participate in the healing.
The event, which is free to attend, will continue all day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The opening ceremony at 11 a.m. will include water songs and a drum circle, followed by short keynote speeches from indigenous elder Clayton Duncan, community organizer Betsy Cawn and inspirational speaker Randall Cole, along with several others.
There will be a potluck all day, along with several free workshops and demonstrations. Free booth space is available for groups and organizations to set up non-commercial and informational tables.
The open mic will run from 2 to 6 p.m., with most of the 15-minute performance slots already booked by artists. Featured bands for the evening program (7 to 10 p.m.) include Middletown’s Kay Ashley, Cobb’s Midnight Sun, Kelseyville’s Fuzzy Logic and Bay Area reggae artist Rocker T.
While the event is free to attend, it is also a fundraiser for Valley Fire relief projects, including the local Rotary Club’s fund for fire survivors, and KPFZ Lake County Community Radio. There will be a silent auction at the event, along with a big donation bucket, to raise funds. Businesses are still encouraged to contribute goods and services to this auction. Call (415) 646-5630 or email handsaroundclearlake@gmail.com.
Volunteers are needed. More information about this gathering can be found by calling (415) 646-5630, by searching for “Hands Around Clear Lake” on Facebook or by visiting the official website, www.handsaroundclearlake.com.
