Deaths at Dragonfest
Woman, man die at Wiccan festival; natural causes cited
John C. Ensslin And Marilyn Robinson, Rocky Mountain News
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Two people died during a "neo-pagan" festival near Wellington Lake in rural Jefferson County during the weekend, apparently of natural causes, authorities said Monday.
The deaths occurred during Dragonfest, a regional festival that drew several hundred participants for an 11th annual weekend of Wiccan rituals, camping and a "clothing optional" area.
One woman in her 50s died of a heart attack on Saturday, according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. A man was discovered dead on Monday morning, also of apparent natural causes, authorities said.
Jefferson County sheriff's spokesman Jim Shires said deputies assisted at the scene of the heart attack Saturday. Shires said he did not have information on the other death, other than that there was no indication of foul play. Shires said he had not heard of the festival before.
An officer with the nonprofit board that runs Dragonfest declined comment and referred questions to the sheriff's office.
"We had a festival. It was a private event," said Phil Catalano, a member of the Dragonfest board of directors.
"Anything official will have to come from the sheriff's department. I'm really not at liberty to provide any other information."
The deaths prompted some spirited discussion in a members' forum on the Dragonfest Web site.
"I am appalled at what I am hearing from people who attended this year's Dragonfest. Just utterly appalled and ashamed of what this festival now seems to be," wrote a member who identified herself as "Arwen Nightstar aka Stephanie Arwen Beck."
Others who attended the festival, however, described it as one of the best they had seen.
"Negative people will focus on the negative, it seems," wrote one member, identified only as "bogmonkey."
"The incidents were minimal, did not affect the festival for most all festival goers, and were handled with consummate professionalism by those who had to deal with them."
About Dragonfest
What is it? Dragonfest is a large, regional, neo-pagan festival held in the mountains of Colorado each August.
Who goes? Most of the 1,000 attendees come from Colorado or surrounding states.
What should I wear? There is a clothing-optional area for camping and swimming. Clothing is required in main gathering areas.Source: Www.Dragonfest.Org
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