Eastern Naturist Gathering

Festival Location: Lenox, MA, USA

Festival State: Massachusetts Festivals

Festival Type(s): Nude Festivals | Naked Events, Naturist Gatherings, Adults Only Festivals

By: © Nelson Taylor 2009

While clothing optional gatherings occur all year round all around the United States, the Eastern Naturist Gathering is the big daddy of them all. Although the dates and the locations have changed slightly over the years, for the last several years it has taken place in Lenox, MA, during the last week in June.

Hundreds of people from every profession and background imaginable show up to shed their clothes and enjoy life as Adam and Eve did in the garden. But don't bet on too much sin here. It's just a bunch of fun-time frolicking in the buff, mixed with lots of social and educational seminars ranging from photography to Native American culture to home beer brewing to massage instruction.

Sports include "canuding" (nude canoeing), archery, skeet shooting, and, of course, skinny dipping. And in 1998 they pulled off the world's largest nude frisbee toss. Spokesperson Judi Ditzler stresses clothing is always optional. "Some newcomers choose to ease into it," she says. "And there are often times when some clothing is welcome. For example, one might wear tennis shoes to play tennis."

Registration for members is $20, and for nonmembers it's $30. Accommodations with all meals included range from $32 per person per day to $77.50 per person per day for a nice hotel room.