Photo Gallery: Relive Mayfest 2016

The beautiful grounds of Surprise Lake Camp in Cold Spring, NY, provided the backdrop for the second annual Mayfest during Memorial Day weekend 2016. The offspring of SkyBaby Yoga and Catskill Chill Music Festival, Mayfest articulately blends music, art and yoga together, as a three-day, intimate wellness retreat. The vibe was bright and relaxing, and it was a welcomed addition to the arguably crowded festival scene here in the northeast.

MayfestTargeted at the yoga enthusiast, the daily schedule was packed with activities, ranging from various yoga classes, group meditation, workshops, lectures, pilates and hooping. At any give time between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., festival-goers had to choose from about nine different offerings—there was no excuse to hang out at your cabin or tent. As the sun was closer to setting each night, the focus shifted to the main stage, a stone seat amphitheater across from the lake, which was scheduled to go at the relatively early time of 11:30 p.m. each night (although it was cut about 45 minutes short on Sunday due to the weather). The one late night activity was the Sensory Collective, a “Cirque-de-Solei-esque” troop of performers who entertained attendees Saturday night, keeping us night owls happy until 1 a.m. on Sunday.

A review of individual bands or yoga classes is well beyond the scope of this photographer. I would advise to those reading this who might be interested in attending next year, if you take yoga on the regular, the lineup is mostly within your musical wheelhouse, and the location doesn’t change, then you shouldn’t hesitate to go. While only in its second year, everything is well run and the staff brings a wealth of experience to this event. Also, I would spring for the cabin rental; they were recently updated and place you closer to the action. Finally, it did seem most of the classes were still available to sign up when onsite, but chances are you will be going in knowing what classes you want to take. Procrastinating on the sign-up will be of no benefit.

Hopefully this has offered some sense of what went down in Cold Spring, and what to expect next year assuming no major deviation from the current formula. Of course, check out the pics below and see some of the sights of Mayfest from my perspective.

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