Tracker Pixel for Entry

Pagan Pride in the park

Culture | September 16th, 2015

By Chris Carpenter

It’s a beautiful weekend to go to Gooseberry Park in South Moorhead. That’s because on Saturday, Sept. 19, Pagan Pride Day festivities will be held at Gooseberry.

As you enter the park, you’ll see a normal gathering of people, similar to a street fair.

There will be rows of tables where you begin discovering a different path than the one you have followed before. Tables covered with soaps, herbs or, on occasion, an interesting array of crystals. You’ll come across a free spirit giving tarot card readings, and further down you’ll see, no, hear a group of people sitting in a circle, drums in hand, beating a rhythm which creates an earthy atmosphere.

As you check out the tables, you’ll realize not only are the products offered interesting, but the people too are something to be explored and discovered, each with a different philosophy and lifestyle. Perhaps you’ll see a young woman bearing many rings, dangling earrings and jangling bracelets, dancing to the drums. Perhaps you’ll see a burly man, bearing a long beard, who reminds you of a Viking warrior sitting on furs. As seemingly different as these people are, they are friends in their uniqueness. They’ll have a common thread holding them together on this day: pride in their paganism.

Pagan Pride is sponsored by the Lake Agassiz Regional Pagan Community. It is intended to cast aside the misconceptions of what paganism isn’t and introduce the community to what paganism is.

Paganism is not a religion of its own, but by definition the following of beliefs different than Judeo-Christian teachings. Among mainstream pagan beliefs are Buddhism, Hinduism and Taoism. Many pagans explore facets of shamanism and druidism. Others follow Odinism, Greek and Roman myths, and a common following at this gathering is Wicca.

There will be vendors selling everything from common household products -- soaps, lotions and jewelry -- to esoteric items such as herbal solutions, crystals and books on many beliefs. There will be a panel discussing different belief systems, drumming circles and, rumor has it, belly dancing. For those not attending, there will be a live podcast broadcasting for your pleasure. The host, Thomas Punton, will be interviewing individuals on their beliefs and experience as pagans.

IF YOU GO:

F-M Pagan Pride Day

Gooseberry Park, 100 22nd Ave S, Moorhead

Sat, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comArea children ages 10 and over are invited to join the Fargo-Moorhead Science Museum to explore how rivers work at two Fargo Public Library locations this summer. Stream Table Workshops will…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

Friday, July 25, doors at 8:30 p.m.Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, Fargo"This is what you need to know about Daikaiju,” said Kelly Weidman. “They're loud. They're all instrumental (duh). And they're the band to see…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymond fargogadfly@gmail.comThere might be room for Trump on Mount Rushmore after allDuring King Donald’s first term he told Kristi Noem, then a congresswoman and now his secretary of homeland security, his dream was to be…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comAri Aster’s political satire “Eddington” premiered in competition for the Palme d’Or at Cannes in May, where Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” received the prize. A…

Press ReleaseTouchmark at Harwood Groves will host a special artist reception featuring renowned glass artist Jon Offutt on Tuesday, July 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the community’s auditorium. The event celebrates Offutt’s temporary…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…