Brushwood

www.brushwood.com

I love this place.

That’s the best way to describe Brushwood, the official landing site of X-Day and the home of many Pagan festivals – including Starwood. Frank Barney manages this 180-acre outdoor campsite and makes it available for naturist, pagan, and SubGenius events from early spring through late fall. All-season campsites are available, and many people rent these sites so that they can spend as much time as possible here. And I don’t blame them: there’s something about Brushwood that washes your cares and worries away, letting the Slack blow over you like a cool breeze. Brushwood is so far away from any bastions of Pink civilization (it’s 30 minutes from Erie, Pennsylvania; or 90 minutes from Buffalo, New York), the immense effort necessary to simply travel there will weed out all but the most dedicated pilgrims from the flocks who travel to X-Day. And once you’re there, you’ll feel something strange in the air…something that will make you want to Repent, Quit your Job, and Slack Off!

Here is some important info for those who have yet to visit:

Brushwood is TENT CAMPING. The rate for this is $10 per night. Although some hardy souls show up and attempt to make due with tarps or by sleeping in their car, these same persons usually agree afterwards in their wish they'd brought a tent! You are free to set up a tent pretty much wherever you like that is not on a road, already claimed by a seasonal camper, or other clearly marked no-camp-here area. Note that you ARE allowed to drive your car onsite to your campsite, but tooling around camp in your car is discouraged. (This changes for larger events like Starwood or Sirius Rising, where attendance is 8-10 times larger.)

For those who don't want to live in a tent for several days there is a trailer available for $15/night – but for events this fills up FAST and reservations are required. In addition this year there are one (possibly two, still being worked out) private cabins which will be available for rent for $25/night for one person ($150/week), $40/night for two ($240/week). If you want one of these options then call Brushwood ASAP to reserve it! RV's are welcome and are charged $15 per stay (not per night – i.e. one fee of $15 for X-Day). RV parking is restricted to certain areas, usually by the North Pavilion (up the hill, away from the swimming pool).

ELECTRICITY is available in a limited area for $10/night ($15/night for an RV). Safe-to-drink water is available for free (public spigots) over most of the campground. Ice is available at Registration in blocks and cubes.

Note that these fees are for your stay at Brushwood and do not cover Eternal Salvation or X-Day attendance. See also: X-Day Directions and Cost.

NAKEDNESS is perfectly acceptable, though not commonplace. Be smart and WEAR SUNBLOCK!

Bring FOOD that you can cook over a campfire or on a camp stove. Although there is a Studio with kitchen near the entrance, do not depend on this being available when you want it. Smart campers bring at least a bit of non-perishable food that does not require preparation, like pop tarts. All food needs to be stored in such a manner that the professional RACCOONS on property cannot steal it – don't put it in your tent! A cooler with a bungie cord around it should suffice. (I personally have seen a raccoon open a cooler to retrieve the food inside!) There is a cafe on property (Brushwood sanctioned but not Brushwood staffed) but as of this writing it is unknown whether this will be open during X-Day. The Corral restaurant in Sherman has a very loyal Subgenius following.

The TEMPERATURE of western NY can vary quite a bit from day to night. During late June-early July it is not uncommon to be in the high eighties during the day, and the high forties at night! A couple pair of long underwear and some other layers is recommended.

At night the dew becomes thick, and the grass becomes WET. Your shoes will get soaked. Be sure to bring extra dry socks.

It will probably RAIN at least once during your visit. X-Day is known to have at least one torrential downpour during the final days before the Rupture. An umbrella is strongly recommended, though a trash bag can also be converted into a makeshift poncho if necessary (stick your arms through the sides).

The campground has HOT SHOWERS and FLUSH TOILETS available for all sanitary needs. You won't have to drop your load in the woods.

Many who visit for the first time are unprepared for NOISE. Brushwood is in the end a party space. The first two years I attended, X-Day coincided with "Drumfest" – and even outside of this event, drumming in the Roundhouse can be loud and nonstop through dawn. In addition, zombie cultists have been known to drink and play loud music in their crazed nighttime rituals. And the atonal chatter of the ass-raping wood beavers tends to stick in the brain. These things can be very disconcerting; it is usually wise to bring EARPLUGS and perhaps even sleeping pills to keep from wanting to rise and slay those keeping you awake.

DOGS are not allowed. There is a kennel nearby if you cannot travel without pooch – call Brushwood for more info.

There are two HOT TUBS on property, one slightly down the hill from the main Registration building, and one in the pool house on the field. The pool is four feet deep. Showers are available near registration and in the pool house. Flush toilets are available in several different areas, and port-a-potties will be set up in crucial spots.

Though X-Day (and indeed Brushwood itself) is "adult-oriented," CHILDREN are welcome (and get in free if they are under 12), but parents should understand the likelihood of them seeing nekkid freaks, and must be responsible for them at all times.

PACK GREEN! Everything carried in must be carried out! This includes items like paintings and pool tables – Brushwood does not want your ephemera no matter how cool you think it is. Brushwood loves X-Day in part because Subgenii are usually VERY GOOD about leaving the place as good or better than they found it. Please help us keep up this tradition.

FIREWOOD is available for $6/wheelbarrowful. In addition there is a local vendor who will sell you a cord (a pickup truck-full) of wood for $65 (at this writing), so if you and several others want a bunch, talk to Brushwood staff who will help arrange this. DO NOT cut down trees for your fire. Although many places have a "dead and down" rule, in our experience this encourages people to MAKE things dead and down, so buy your wood – it'll burn a hell of a lot better. Don't be a dumbass – do not leave a fire unattended, do not put stuff in the fire that shouldn't be, and DO NOT burn candles in your tent! Last year was the first year in a while that someone did not burn down their tent with that trick. IT DOES HAPPEN.

LOST ITEMS are turned in to staff and are kept by Registration.

INJURIES should be reported to a staff member immediately. Nurses and EMT's are available to treat you or put you out of your/our misery at their discretion.

CELL PHONES work depending on your carrier: Verizon has very good coverage here, Sprint sporadic coverage, but no others. Those desiring INTERNET are out of luck unless they connect via a cell phone or Verizon's AirCard (which works very well).

Anything that is illegal in New York State, USA, is illegal at Brushwood. This includes drugs, fireworks, firearms, and slavery.

The Prime Directive of X-Day and also Brushwood – Do Not Sully Anyone Else's Slack.

All that said, X-Day is a blast-and-a-half and well worth the trip. Every year is different, and boredom is not an option.