Live on Harry Brown's Farm – Our Festival Community on The Hill

Welcome to the official Harry Brown’s Farm blog — your source for updates from The Hill.

Welcome to What’s Happening on The Hill 

Feb 19, 2025 | Festival News & Updates

✨ A New Chapter for The Happening

For 35 years, The Happening has brought people together at Harry Brown’s Farm in Starks, Maine. What began in 1991 as a dream to create space for music, art, activism, and cannabis culture has grown into one of New England’s most beloved summer festivals. Now, as we celebrate this milestone year, we’re expanding how we connect with you — introducing The Happening Blog.

This is more than a news page. It’s an extension of the Hill itself: a place where voices come together, stories are shared, and community thrives long after the stages go quiet.


🌱 Building Community Beyond Social Media

Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram help us share quick updates, but we wanted something deeper — a home base for festival storytelling. The Happening Blog is that space. Here, you’ll find:

  • 🎶 Festival updates – tickets, schedules, announcements.

  • 🌟 Artist spotlights – meet the musicians, DJs, and performers who make the Hill come alive.

  • 🎭 Behind-the-scenes stories – a look at how the festival is built, from stage setup to creative collaborations.

  • 🏕️ Community highlights – stories of families, vendors, and Hillcats who make The Happening unique.

And most importantly, this blog is interactive. We want to hear from you.

🌱 Have a favorite memory from The Hill? Share it in the comments.
📸 Captured a moment you’ll never forget? Post your photos.
💡 Got an idea for this year’s event? We’re listening.

Just like the festival itself, this blog is meant to be a conversation, not a monologue.


🎶 Honoring 35 Years of Music, Art & Togetherness

2025 marks a milestone: 35 years of The Happening. That’s 35 summers of live music, camping, art, and cannabis community gatherings in the Maine woods. It’s an honor to host the incredible performers, visionary artists, grassroots vendors, and passionate volunteers who make it all possible.

What makes The Happening different from other Maine music festivals? It’s not just about the lineup (though it’s always fire). It’s about the people. The artists who jam together after their sets. The families who bring kids year after year. The vendors who set up colorful, handmade creations. The Hillcats who come back each June because this isn’t just entertainment — it’s home.

We often say: The Happening isn’t a festival, it’s a family. That spirit is at the core of everything we do, and this blog is another way to honor and share it.


🌿 Cannabis Culture & Celebration

Since the very beginning, The Happening has also been a cannabis culture festival — a place where cannabis is celebrated, respected, and elevated as part of community life.

From Harry Brown’s activism in the 1990s to the modern Ganja Grail cannabis competition, The Hill has always been a hub for both culture and advocacy. The Happening Blog will continue that tradition by highlighting stories about cannabis in Maine, the farmers and growers who contribute to our community, and the ways cannabis culture strengthens the connections we share.

For many, this festival is more than music — it’s a living tradition of cannabis community in Maine. And this blog is a way to carry that culture forward, year-round.


🏕️ Family-Friendly Music Festival in Maine

Another unique part of The Happening is how family-friendly it is. We’ve seen generations grow up on The Hill — kids who once splashed at the Lilypad Stage are now performing on our stages or bringing their own children.

The Kid’s Zone and family camping areas make it easy for parents to relax while little ones explore crafts, games, and music. The Happening Blog will spotlight these family traditions, because they remind us that the festival isn’t just for one generation — it’s for all of us.


📢 Join the Conversation & Stay Connected

This blog only works if it’s alive with voices. Here’s how you can be part of it:

  • Drop a comment below and introduce yourself!

  • Share your memories — we’d love to hear your favorite moments from The Hill.

  • Upload your photos — help us capture the story of The Happening.

  • Bookmark this page and check back for regular updates.

  • Follow us on social media (Facebook | Instagram) for extra content and announcements.

Every comment, every memory, every idea adds to the living archive of The Happening.


🚀 Looking Ahead to The Happening 2025

The countdown is already on for The Happening 2025 — June 19–22, 2025. This year’s festival will be unforgettable:

  • 🎶 Live music on multiple stages.

  • 🦄 The legendary Unicorn Tea Party in the Art Tent.

  • 🏆 The Ganja Grail cannabis competition.

  • 🎭 Interactive art, workshops, and contests.

  • 🌲 Camping under the Maine summer sky.

Early Bird tickets are already on sale — and they’re moving fast. Don’t wait to secure your spot at the 35th anniversary celebration.


✨ Come Home to The Hill

As we launch The Happening Blog, we invite you to be part of something bigger than a website. This is your home to share stories, connect with other Hillcats, and celebrate the magic that has defined Harry Brown’s Farm for 35 years.

So tell us — what are you most excited about for The Happening 2025? Drop a comment below, subscribe to our updates, and let’s make this year’s gathering the best one yet.

✨ Come home to The Hill — online, and in person this June.