Dear Dragonfest Community:
The sun grows stronger and Beltane is just around the corner! Here’s the news we have to share:
New for 2026: Elder Hostel Accommodations
Two spots available
In order to provide options for community elders who want to attend Dragonfest, but are unable to set up a tent, we are trying out something new this year.
Elder hostel details:
- One 10×20 tent divided into 2 private sleeping spaces
- Cots will be provided
- The spaces will have no floors
- Cost is $75 per space in addition to retreat membership
- Interested elders should contact registration at registration@dragonfest.org
If these accommodations are popular this year, we hope to be able to provide more spaces next year.
Retreat Scholarships Available
Application Deadline April 30th @ 11:59 pm MDT
We have a limited number of scholarships for community members who would like to attend the retreat but are experiencing financial hardship. Scholarships are available to staff and attendees at the associate level. Send email to scolarships@dragonfest.org with the following information:
-Name
-Age Group – Young adult, adult, elder (not exact age)
-Staff or Attendee
-Reason for your need (do not send financial information such as income)
T-Shirt Art Contest Winners!
We had 4 submissions this year
Our first place winner is Michelle Lewis. Her design will appear on the attendee shirts this year.
Our second place winner is Aurora Fae Babcock. Her design will appear on the staff shirts this year.
New this year: Dragon’s Guard retreat members will get to vote for the art work that they want on the Dragon’s Guard shirt this year. This will take place after June 1.
Thanks so much to everyone who shared their time and creativity!
Dragonfest Theme Camp Contest 2026
“Let’s bring back some fun and festive camp theme competition…What is YOUR 5th Element?
Decorate your camp and show your spirit! Make it festive, but area appropriate. See who wins bragging rights for your amazing themes and designs and take home a commemorative sign declaring your camp Best of Camp 2026.
How to:
- Want to be part of the fun?
- email Silver at silver@dragonfest.org
- Include main registered person for you camp
- Camp Name
- We will have identifier signs or flags for your camp with a number
- We will have maps with you camp name and location so people can come see your amazing camps
- We will have a numeric voting system in places, more details to come
- Votes will be taken until Saturday noon
- Best camp will be announced at Stone Soup
Board Member Spotlight
Mark Lewis, Board Member
Greetings! My name is Mark and I serve as one of the remote board members of
Dragonfest. I live in Northwest New Mexico where I am honored to serve as the High Priest of the Order of the Cauldron of the Sage. I identify as eclectic Wiccan with a bit of Radical Faery added for good measure. I have been following the Pagan path for about 40 years. I am an elder and a Sage as well as someone who loves to continue to learn.
As a board member, I would like to ensure the elders of the community are recognized and are given the chance to share their knowledge and wisdom.
I have been coming to Dragonfest for about a decade now. I am always excited to see all of the people who have grown to mean a lot to me. It also allows a time to feel safe expressing my spiritual path without trepidation.
Have you registered yet?
Registration for the 2026 retreat is open. Beginning this year, registration will be open nearly year-round. It will close about a week before the retreat and re-open a few weeks after the retreat. Dragonfest 2026 will be Wednesday, July 29th to Sunday, August 2nd.
Register Now!
Staff Opportunity: Set Up & Take Down Help Still Needed
The setup/takedown team is an integral part of making our annual retreat happen. Staff on this team are responsible for putting up and taking down the structures needed for the retreat. These are stored on site but need to be distributed around the site. Setup and takedown staff need to be on-site Tuesday morning and be able to work through Sunday afternoon/evening until the work is completed. Ideally, we need 10 more people to sign up for this team. The more robust a team there is, the lighter the workload will be. If you are interested in volunteering for this team, please complete the volunteer sign up form and say that you would like to be on setup/takedown crew. The link to the volunteer sign up form is below in the section “Staff Information for 2026”
Lavender Pavillion Seeks Community Contributions
Rituals, Workshops, Events
The Lavender Pavilion is a safe space for the Dragonfest LGBTQ+ community. It is intended to enable our community to interact via workshops and rituals, to express ourselves, and share knowledge, experience, and spirituality within our community and the Dragonfest community at large. If you are interested in hosting a ritual or workshop associated with the Lavender Pavilion, please email coordinator Jason at jason_a@dragonfest.org.
Protecting the Land: Dragonfest Goes Propane Only
Due to increased fire danger in 2026
Because of the high risk of wildfires this year, Ops, along with the board have made the decision to go propane only. This means that there will be no live fires at Dragonfest this year. All fire circles will have propane fire rings that can be turned off with a switch. Please prepare yourself for this by making sure you have a way to cook food on the land other than a charcoal grill. Propane and butane stoves are acceptable.
Looking Ahead: Rituals and Workshops
If you are interested in putting on a workshop or ritual for Dragonfest 2026, please complete the sign up form here. We are especially looking for leaders for the mysteries rituals (Men’s, Women’s & Non-binary) this year.
Staff Information for 2026
If you would like to be part of the team of volunteers that makes our retreat possible, start thinking about what you would like to do. Here is a list is a list of volunteer opportunities. To sign up for a staff position, please click here to complete the sign up form. Current positions we need filled: 1 kitchen lieutenant, Setup/Takedown staff
Staff Meetings for 2026:
The 2026 meeting are third Saturdays at 10:00 AM. January through May meetings will be virtual ONLY via Google Meet. The June & July meetings will be in person at the Jefferson Unitarian Church (14350 W. 32nd Avenue, Golden, Colorado 80401) The in person are hybrid we will be using Google Meet.
- May 16th 2026 – Virtual
- June 20th 2026 – Hybrid
- Work Weekend – June 26-28
- July 19th 2026 – Hybrid
- July 28th (Tuesday ON THE LAND – this is a mandatory meeting discussing safety, radio communications, etc)
Please email ops@dragonfest.org for the Google Meet link – the link will be the same for all staff meetings.
Handy Links for Members
Dragonfest has multiple ways to keep you informed on what’s happening with the upcoming retreat and our organization, including a new Bluesky account. Click here to see them all.