Dear Dragonfest Community:
June is nearly behind us, and we have so many exciting things to share with you about this year’s 40th Anniversary retreat. Here’s the latest news:
Registration
Deadline approaching! Don’t miss your chance to grab a Supporting Membership (memberships with a t-shirt), Dragon Guard Membership, or the Breakfast Plan for this year’s retreat! These options won’t be available after June 30, so act now if you want to secure your extras in advance.
Associate and Regular Memberships will still be available for online registration until July 23. Starting July 1, a $50 late fee will apply to all registrations including at-the-gate registrations. Save that hassle and register today!
Kidsfest and Teenfest Donations Request
Kidsfest and Teenfest are requesting donations of scraps of yarn, drinks, and snacks for both Kidsfest and the Heathen Games. We hope community members will contribute and also invite them to stay, participate, and play with the kids. We’re expecting around 10 children at Kidsfest, and the number of participants in the Heathen Games is uncertain.
Seeking: Girls’ Rite Participants and Drawing Down Vessels
Girls’ Rite: The Girl’s Rite is planned for this year with Janie Felix leading it. Please email Janie before July 1 if you have a girl who would like to participate in the Girls’ Rite.
Drawing Down Vessels: Calling all who have experience with Drawing Down deity! This is a time-honored, special evening in which we can be touched by deity. Please send an email to Janie and Vanth regarding participation.
Lavender Pavilion Events
This year, the Lavender Pavilion is hosting two workshops and the beloved Garb Exchange, plus offering its space for last-minute rituals and meetings.
Workshops & Events (Dates and times will be finalized in the program):
Find Your Inner Dragon (Community Center)
Thursday, 10:00–12:00
A fun, creative workshop where you’ll make a dragon mask using magical scratch paper. Just bring your imagination!
Express Your Inner Dragon (Lavender Pavilion)
Friday, 11:00–2:00
Explore the Garb Exchange and dress your inner dragon! Hosted by Aurora, Thor, and Jason.
Empower Your Inner Dragon (Community Center)
Saturday, time TBA
Decorate your own wand—bring a stick or wand to embellish with materials provided.
Lavender Pavilion Availability:
The Pavilion will be open Friday and Saturday, 1:00–5:00 PM, for LGBTQ+ community-led workshops and rituals. Evening slots after 5 may be available. The sign-up window for booking these slots is Wednesday and Thursday from 2:00–3:00 PM. All events must be registered by 3:00 PM Thursday to be listed and announced.
Phil’s Drum Workshop
Phil’s Hoop Drum making workshop is taking place again this year, on Saturday, August 2, the time slot has not been decided yet, but will be announced as soon as it is available.
The Native Americans have been making many different kinds of Hoop Drums for many centuries. This workshop will focus on a particular design made popular with the availability of pre-made hoops and prepared hides. The techniques are taken from the traditional methods and up-dated for the use of the more modern hoops, tools, and preparation methods. Please see the flyer for more details.
This workshop requires pre-registration and a deposit of at least half the cost of the materials. Please email Phil and pay your deposit by July 11th to secure your spot.
40th Anniversary: Calling the Dragons Home
We are so excited to celebrate Dragonfest’s 40th retreat with you! Here are some reminders about our celebration plans”
Labyrinth Rock Project: Decorate a rock (softball to dinner plate size) to bring beauty to our labyrinth. Enamel paint or Sharpie oil-based paint markers hold up the best. We recommend you seal them with outdoor polyurethane. Don’t forget to include the year and, most importantly, have fun! We can’t wait to see the color and creativity you bring to the labyrinth!
Bring Bubbles!: Add a little whimsy and merriment to the retreat by bringing bubbles!
Breakfast Theme Days at the Community Center
- Thursday: Crazy Hat Day
- Friday: Hawaiian Shirt Day
- Saturday: Dragonfest Costume
- Wear your onesie to the Bob Keys’ Memorial Community Dinner & Main Ritual after the dinner on Saturday Night!
Dragonfest Staff
If you would like to sign up for Dragonfest Staff, please click here to sign up: Dragonfest Staff Sign-up Form. Interested in volunteering but need more information? Please click here for a list of all staff positions and the time commitment required to perform each role.
The July Staff Meeting meeting will be hybrid (online and in person)!
For online, join via Google Meet
In person, we will meet from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church: 14350 W. 32nd Ave Golden, CO 80401.
Here is the schedule of staff meetings for the remainder of 2025:
- Work Weekend – Friday June 27th – Sunday, June 29th (optional)
- July 19, 2025 (hybrid)
- July 29, 2025 (Tuesday, on the land – required)
- If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to Directors of Operations at: Ops@Dragonfest.org.
Dragonfest Coffee Meet and Greets
Have you always wanted to attend Dragonfest but don’t know anyone and have questions? Do you know someone who might be interested, but just needs more information?
Good News! We are hosting Coffee Meet and Greets in various parts of Colorado throughout the year to meet people in person and answer their questions.
Come meet with folks who have attended Dragonfest before and who can give you insight into what the community is like and answer any questions you (or your friends) may have. Here are the details of our last Coffee Meet & Greet of the year:
Grand Junction
June 28th, 2025, 11am – 2pm
Where: Be Sweet Cafe
Address: 150 W Main St, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Handy Links for Members
If you’d like to download and print a Dragonfest flyer to share with your friends and community, click here.
If you’d like to opt out of next year’s physical The Dragons are Coming postcard, click here.
If you’d like to sign up to present a workshop or ritual, click here.
Dragonfest has multiple ways to keep you informed on what’s happening with the current year’s retreat and our organization, including a new Bluesky account. Click here to see them all.