DATE: APRIL 19, 2016
FROM: MARCEE RONDAN/ALEXANDRA GREENBERG
![]()
MYSTERYLAND USA
CELEBRATES EARTH WEEK 2016
WITH COMMITMENT OF PRE-FESTIVAL FREE WATER INCENTIVES
BENEFITTING THE NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
VARIETY OF ONSITE SUSTAINABILITY
INITIATIVES CONFIRMED
FOR THIRD ANNUAL EVENT
MYSTERYLAND USA is upping the ante on their commitment to the environment for the third annual event set for June 10-13, 2016 at the Bethel Woods Center For The Arts (home of the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival) in Bethel, New York.
After learning of elevated levels of lead at water taps at more than 30 public school buildings in Newark Public School System in New Jersey, MYSTERYLAND USA has committed to donate $10 for every 3-Day MYSTERYLAND USA ticket purchased during Earth Week (APRIL 18-24). Monies raised will go towards the purchase of bottled water for the Newark Public School System in New Jersey affected by the lead levels. This donation–of no less than $2500.00–will not only provide water, but it will also raise awareness about the plight of the schools. A recent Department of Environmental Protection test found that the contamination is not originating from the city’s water supply, but likely from old infrastructure and piping in the buildings. Alternate water sources are currently being utilized–including bottled water, much of which has been donated by area business and residents–after the tap water at these schools has been turned off. In a letter to parents of students at the affected schools, Superintendent Christopher D. Cerf assured parents that efforts are underway to ensure the safety of students, faculty and everyone on these campuses. At the same time, Newark Mayor Baraka has asked all residents of the city to donate two (2) cases of water at a variety of drop-off locations.
Bottled Water Drop-Off Points:
![]()
At the same time,one of Mysteryland’s core philosophies is: the Festival Footprint. Mysteryland focuses on being organized in a sustainable way by relying on local participation and interaction, with attention on the surroundings and community–as well as sustainable projects–during and after the festival. Be friendly to nature, be friendly to the people around you–it was part of the mantra of ’69 Woodstock and this permeates into the ideology of the Mysteryland USA festival footprint.
Some of the Mysteryland 2016 sustainability initiatives include:
Shuttles: In an effort to reduce traffic and our carbon footprint, Mysteryland will offer shuttle services from several locations–New York City Grand Central, New York LaGuardia Airport, New York JFK Airport, New York Albany and Newark International Liberty Airport–to and from the festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Additional information can be found here.
Carpool: Mysteryland encourages carpooling, not only by offering a ride sharing option through Rickyrides, but also by incentivizing patrons who carpool with at least four friends per vehicle through on-site prizing including: MLUSA merch and much more.
Green teams & green collection points: Mysteryland will have green teams walking around the festival area who will be responsible for picking-up, separating, and properly disposing of garbage. This will greatly reduce the ecological footprint of the festival by keeping the land beautiful and differing recycled goods from the ending up in the landfill. Mysteryland will also reward the sustainable behavior of attendees, by handing out garbage and recycle bags to its on-site campers. There will be several garbage collection points where campers can drop off their trash and recyclables and sign up for a raffle.
![]() Water Project: ID&T launched its ‘Water Project’ in 2013, providing free tap water to visitors of every event and festival around the world that it produces. The vision is simple: “Water should be free and available for everyone in the world, and thus also at our festivals.” Mysteryland will provide free drinking water to everyone at the festival and in the campgrounds. Water refill stations will be located around the festival for easy access to drinking water throughout the weekend. Mysteryland will also sell re-usable branded water bottles, for those who didn’t have their own. The festival aims to create awareness of the more sustainable alternative to bottled water.
![]() Camping Recycling Program: Following the Mysteryland weekend, any tents left behind will be donated to local charities, further reducing the waste to landfills. Drop off points at the exits will be available for campers who would like to donate their tents and other camping supplies.
Pedal Power: Mysteryland staff will utilize bicycles around the beautiful grounds of Bethel Woods, further reducing emissions and the overall impact on the land.
Food & Beverage Vendors: All Mysteryland food and beverage vendors are required to serve their products with biodegradable plates, cups and utensils. This helps keeps waste out of the landfill and generally reduces the festival’s impact on the environment.
Re-seeding: Mysteryland is a guest of Bethel Woods and understands the ecological impact that the festival leaves behind. Mysteryland will clean up, re-seed and repair any damaged grounds so as to only leave a small Festival Footprint behind.
MYSTERYLAND USA will feature headliners Odesza (Friday), Skrillex (Saturday) and Bassnectar (Sunday) and more 85 acts. Beyond the music, New York’s music, culture & arts festival will offer an unparalleled experience with a speakers program curated and hosted by NPR personality, Anya Kamenetz, The Healing Garden’s restorative powers (curated by Sarah Schroder and back by popular demand), the Incendia 50′ fire dome illuminating the night sky. The House of Yes, BangOn!NYC and Dripped On Productions are all also on board to add a little extra magic to the MYSTERYLAND atmosphere.
A variety of ticket, camping and travel packages are on sale now, with the 50/50 payment plan available through Saturday, April 30. Prices range from $89 for a NOMAD Single Day, $234 for a NOMAD three-day GA pass to $319 for a GA pass with camping; premium three day, $444 to platinum VIP, plus camping, $849. For those looking for a ready-made experience, packages include NOMAD three-day, plus a Mysteryland branded pre-set up tent (with a two-person air bed and two sleeping bags located in the Easy Tent Community of the on-site Holy Ground campgrounds), $899 to a fully accommodated authentic Catskills mountain resort complete with accommodations for three nights, price upon request. On-site camping is 21+ only. Off-site camping options (19+) are available at Mysteryland.us. Additionally, shuttle services to the festival site are available from Albany in Upstate NY, JFK, LGA and Newark airports and Grand Central Station in Manhattan. Other festival options include travel packages, parking passes, locker and power rentals and group “Friendship Camping” in the Holy Ground campgrounds that can accommodate between 10-12 people.
MYSTERYLAND is the longest running electronic music, culture and arts festival in the world, active since 1993 with international editions in Chile, the Netherlands and the United States.
Festival information
Mysteryland USA
June 10-13, 2016
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Bethel, New York
19+ festival
About Mysteryland
Mysteryland dates back to 1993 and is now the world’s longest-running dance festival. With a clear focus on culture, art, talent, creativity and sustainability, the festival takes visitors to inspiring and surprising worlds where literally anything is possible. The first international edition of Mysteryland was held in Chile in 2011. In May of 2014, Mysteryland made its USA debut at the site of the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival and now returns for its third edition. Mysteryland is an ID&T concept.
###
|