Max Yasgur facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Max Yasgur
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Max Yasgur at the Woodstock Festival in 1969 which was held on part of his dairy farm in Bethel, New York
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Max B. Yasgur
December 15, 1919 |
| Died | February 9, 1973 (aged 53) Marathon, Florida, U.S.
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| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Years active | 1949−1971 |
| Known for | Leasing a field of his farm for the purpose of holding the Woodstock Festival |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | Sam, Lois |
Max B. Yasgur (born December 15, 1919 – died February 9, 1973) was an American farmer. He owned a large dairy farm in Bethel, New York. This farm became famous because it was the location of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair. This huge music festival took place from August 15 to August 18, 1969.
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Who Was Max Yasgur?
Max Yasgur was born in New York City. His parents were immigrants from Russia. He grew up on his family's farm, where his parents also ran a small hotel. Max studied real estate law at New York University.
His Life as a Farmer
By the late 1960s, Max Yasgur was a very successful farmer. He was the biggest milk producer in Sullivan County, New York. His farm was about 600 acres (240 hectares) and had 650 cows.
In 1969, when the Woodstock festival happened, Max was married to Miriam Yasgur. They had a son named Sam and a daughter named Lois. His son Sam was working as a lawyer in New York City at the time.
Max Yasgur was known for being a conservative Republican. He even supported the Vietnam War. However, he believed that hosting the Woodstock festival could help his farm's business. He also hoped it would help bridge the "generation gap" between older and younger people.
Hosting the Woodstock Festival
The Woodstock festival organizers first tried to find a location in other towns. But these towns did not want to host the large event. So, Max Yasgur offered to lease one of his farm fields. He rented it to the festival for $10,000.
After the news spread, Max started getting many phone calls. Some people threatened him, but many more called to support him. Signs were put up around town saying, "Stop Max's Hippie Music Festival." Some even said, "Buy no milk" to hurt his business.
Why He Hosted Woodstock
Max Yasgur was 49 years old at the time of the festival. He had a heart condition. He later said he never expected the festival to be so big. But he felt that older people needed to do more to understand younger generations.
Max quickly connected with the concert-goers. He sold food at a fair price or even gave it away for free. When he heard that some local people were selling water, he put up a big sign at his barn that said "Free Water." He told his children to fill empty milk bottles with water and give them to the kids. He also gave away all the milk and dairy products from his farm.
Max Yasgur was an individualist. He was motivated by his beliefs as much as by money. His son Sam explained that it was a very wet year, which meant less hay for his cows. The money from renting the field would help him buy hay. Max also strongly believed in freedom of expression. He was upset by how some townspeople treated the "anti-war hippies." For him, hosting the festival became an important cause.
Max Yasgur's Speech
On the third day of the festival, Max Yasgur spoke to the huge crowd. He said:
"I'm a farmer. I don't know how to speak to 20 people at one time, let alone a crowd like this. But I think you people have proven something to the world — not only to the Town of Bethel, or Sullivan County, or New York State; you've proven something to the world. This is the largest group of people ever assembled in one place. We have had no idea that there would be this size group, and because of that you've had quite a few inconveniences as far as water, food, and so forth. Your producers have done a mammoth job to see that you're taken care of... they'd enjoy a vote of thanks. But above that, the important thing that you've proven to the world is that a half a million kids — and I call you kids because I have children that are older than you are — a half million young people can get together and have three days of fun and music and have nothing but fun and music, and I – God bless you for it!"
The audience cheered loudly after his speech.
After the Festival
Many of Max Yasgur's neighbors turned against him after Woodstock. He was no longer welcome at the local store. However, he never regretted his decision to host the concert. He was sued by his neighbors for property damage caused by the concert attendees. But the damage to his own farm was much worse. Over a year later, he received $50,000 to help pay for the damage.
Max Yasgur refused to rent out his farm for another festival in 1970. He said he was going back to being a dairy farmer. In 1971, he sold his 600-acre farm and moved to Marathon, Florida. He died there a year and a half later from a heart attack. He was 53 years old.
Rolling Stone magazine published a full-page obituary for him. This was a special honor, as few non-musicians received such a tribute.
In 1997, the concert site and the land around it were bought by Alan Gerry. He created the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts there. In 2007, Max Yasgur's former home, about 3 miles from the festival site, was put up for sale.]
See also
In Spanish: Max Yasgur para niños
