Event Land Requirements

What follows is an outline of the sort of land that Firefly needs, as well as a bit on the intentions of Firefly.

• Land Location: very remote
• Land Acreage: 100+ preferable
• Land Type: mix of fields and woods with natural sound buffering properties
• Parking areas - 300+ cars
• Not too close to towns and neighbors

Firefly is a celebration of self-expression and community that takes place for 3-4 days each summer in the woods of New England.

The event attracts about 400 artists, musicians, performers, scientists, and spiritual thinkers who camp together and share their art and ideas. Together we create an environment that allows us to explore new forms of community and expression.

A team of volunteer organizers takes responsibility for basic infrastructure, communications, and safety concerns at Firefly, and the rest of the event is created by its participants. Theme camps provide venues for musicians and performers. Clearings in the woods become sites for art installations, dancing, or ritual.

Firefly is a Regional Burn for the New England area and as such abides by the 10 principles behind Burning Man: http://regionals.burningman.com/network_principles.html

1. Radical Inclusion
2. Gifting
3. De-commodification
4. Radical Self Reliance
5. Radical Self Expression
6. Communal Effort
7. Civic Responsibility
8. Leave No Trace
9. Participation
10. Immediacy


What we create is a community (the art, the structures, the experience are temporary - the community lasts all year) with an emphasis on participation and education. Every attendee is part of making the event happen - everyone contributes something in the way of volunteering time and skill - be it organizational, music, art, performance, teaching: Everyone is a Participant.

There is amplified music, nearly 24/7 during the event - much like Burning Man.
There are art installations, some grant funded - much like Burning Man.
There are particular challenges to the environment where the event is held - much like Burning Man - though Firefly has historically faced the challenge of mud as opposed to the challenge of dust.
There is an attempt to foster and create a culture of personal freedom and personal responsibility - much like Burning Man.
There is fire - much like Burning Man.

Firefly has been limited in size for the past few years by two things: volunteers and parking. In order to allow the event to grow we need everyone to volunteer and to find a place to hold the event where there is enough space for 300+ vehicles to park.

Below is the basic list of land requirements and information about compensation for use of land. It'd be nice to find somewhere with running water (a stream or the like) and a potable water source, however these are luxuries and not requirements.

If you know of land that might fit these requirements, please look into it!

At first glance, information on acreage, land type, parking areas, nearest towns/neighbors, and what compensation would be asked for land use are important first questions. Firefly has taken place over July 4th weekend in the past, but this is not written in stone - find out what dates the land is available.

Email questions or leads to land@fireflyartscollective.org. Thanks!


1) Adequate Size: Firefly draws over 500 participants - ~70+ Acres of land is ideal, but less may work.

2) Remote Location: Anywhere in New England. CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME, NY but close to 4 hours from Boston. Firefly participants look forward to camping. This can be on wooded land, or fields, but there should be enough room for hundreds of tents. More important than the type of land is that the event site be far enough from neighbors to assure the neighbors are not disturbed. With 24/7 amplified music being such a large part of the event, buffer zones (i.e. tree cover and terrain) and proximity to neighbors should be taken into account. Somewhere with a town government that has not had negative experiences with other events, resulting in strict local statutes is highly preferable. And finally a remote enough location to prevent walk-ins from showing up because they saw that "a party" was going on.

3) Ample Parking: We have generally needed parking for 200-300 vehicles preferably such that if it rains vehicles will still be able to drive out of the parking area. The parking can be close to the main event, or further away. If needed, we can organize a shuttle between the parking and the event site.

4) Safe Areas For Fire: Many participants of Firefly are fire artists and performers. We require the ability to build safe fire pits in which people may build camp fires and one larger clearing to have a bonfire. These safe areas may also be used for fire performance or art installations. Please be aware, there are dedicated Rangers who are responsible for monitoring all Fire at our events.

5) Amplified Music and Drumming are Permitted: This issue is closely tied to #2. Amplified music and drumming are integral parts of Firefly, and often occur at all hours of the day and night. If the land is remote, this music should not disturb anyone.

6) Outhouses, or permission from the landowner to bring in porta-potties, as well as sufficient space for porta-potties on the land.

7) RESEARCH ACTION ITEMS (more detailed follow up questions if 1-6 seem promising)

a. Ask the owner what the land is like during mud season, especially the access road(s), trails, and other low-lying areas.

b. Ask the owner if there is poison ivy or other hazards on site.

c. Ask the owner where the nearest neighbors are located, and what they are like.

d. Ask the owner whether the area has experienced other public events, and how the local residents reacted.

e. Research town, county, and state laws regarding public events.

f. Research town on internet--check newspaper archives, etc. to get a feel for the town, and a sense of whether they might object to having Firefly in their midst.


Firefly Arts secures insurance to protect the organizers and land owners from any liability, we have never had an injury or claim. In addition to insurance, a strong culture of personal and community responsibility permeates Firefly. We have a volunteer corps of Rangers who watch over the safety of all participants for the duration of the event. Additionally, there are several Medical Doctors and first responders on staff to react to any emergencies.


Firefly Arts Collective has organized improvements to the land we have used in the past. Some projects include: building new outhouses, clearing brush and cleaning up debris, building structures desired by land owners, digging and installing a new hand pump well, and trail building/maintenance.

Compensation depends on what if anything needs to be done to the land, but a starting point would be $5 per person. All compensation negotiations will be handled by the Board of Directors.


Please be in touch! Email the Land Coordinator at land@fireflyartscollective.org with land leads or questions!