LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Duke Devlin upon the occasion of
retiring after many years of distinguished service as the Site Inter-
preter of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts on June 22, 2016

WHEREAS, From time to time we take note of certain individuals whom we
wish to recognize for their valued contributions and to publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Duke Devlin
upon the occasion of retiring after many years of distinguished service
as the Site Interpreter of the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts to be
celebrated at a Luncheon held in his honor on Wednesday, June 22, 2016;
and
WHEREAS, In 1969, 27 year-old Duke Devlin was living in Armarillo,
Texas, growing soybeans and sweet potatoes when he first heard about the
Woodstock Music and Arts fair; the brochure promised good music, an
Indian village, a petting zoo and fresh air; college campuses were buzz-
ing about this grandiose festival with a veritable who's-who of the
music world slated to play; and
WHEREAS, After hitchhiking with a friend, Duke Devlin arrived in
upstate New York a week early with only 50 cents in his pocket; he got a
job selling burgers from a stand at the top of Hurd Road and joined Hog
Farm, the semi-official "Please Force" run by Wavy Gravy, hired to keep
order at the site during the concert; and
WHEREAS, 400,000 people showed up for the 32-band concert that was
held August 15-18, 1969; they were camped out in the Town of Bethel,
enjoying the peace, love, harmony and mud on Max Yasgur's 600-acre farm;
and
WHEREAS, The bands who performed at the legendary music festival who
were responsible for changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of
people included: Richie Havens; Arlo Guthrie; Joan Baez; Santana; the
Grateful Dead; Janis Joplin; Creedence Clearwater Revival; Jefferson
Airplane; Blood, Sweat and Tears; The Band; Jimi Hendrix; Jerry Garcia;
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young; and
WHEREAS, What Duke Devlin experienced was three days of nonstop music,
fun and camaraderie; he gave out oatmeal with sugar and raisins to the
masses and rubbed shoulders with rock legends such as Jimi Hendrix and
Jerry Garcia; and
WHEREAS, After it was over, Duke Devlin remained in Bethel to help
with the cleanup of the soon to be historic concert site; then, to save
up enough money to leave, he got a job milking cows, and met a pretty
girl; he grew fond of the Bethel area and, the hippie who came to Wood-
stock, decided to stay; and
WHEREAS, Duke Devlin eventually got married and helped run a farm
stand for many years with his ex-wife; he also worked as a maintenance
man with local schools; and
WHEREAS, Duke Devlin worked with the media for the 1994 and 1999 Wood-
stock anniversary concerts as what he calls a "token hippie," providing
an authoritative Aquarian voice for reporters; and
WHEREAS, The unofficial spokesperson for Woodstock for many years, in
2006, Duke Devlin became the official Site Interpreter after the Bethel
Woods Center for the Arts opened its doors; he tells tourists what it
was like at the legendary festival through his stories and fun facts;
and
WHEREAS, Duke Devlin, who recently accepted a STAR award from the
Sullivan County Visitors Association for his contributions to the commu-
nity at large, was the guest of honor in a public forum hosted by Thun-

der 102 radio's Mike Sakell and Paul Ciliberto in the museum theater at
Bethel Woods where he held court in a lively discussion with Museum
Director Wade Lawrence, former Town of Bethel Supervisor Alan Scott and
former Town of Thompson Supervisor Anthony Cellini, both of whom were
actively involved with the original site of the 1969 Woodstock Music
Festival and its transformation into what has become Bethel Woods; and
WHEREAS, A mainstay of Sullivan County, this extraordinary septuagena-
rian is well-known and respected by many for his profound wisdom and
first-hand knowledge of what truly happened at Woodstock in August of
1969; and
WHEREAS, Even after five decades, this true hippie-at-heart can still
smell the rain and the mud, as well as feel the love, the sharing, the
caring and genuine sense of community; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Duke Devlin and to wish him continued
success in all his future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Duke Devlin upon the occasion of retiring after many years of
distinguished service as the Site Interpreter of the Bethel Woods Center
for the Arts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Duke Devlin.