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Crowds Throng Cloudy Solstice at Stonehenge

Revelers amassed at Stonehenge for sunup on the year's longest day

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2009 12:15 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Normally fences keep the public from brushing up against Stonehenge's mossy monoliths, the Times of London reports, but for today's summer solstice, a record crowd was allowed to pack the British monument site. Druids, drinkers, and curious early risers filled the area to capacity well before sunrise, and the only blot on the festivities was a pervasive cloud cover.

Rival circles of druids formed, as Arthur Pendragon, leader of the Druid Order of Loyal Arthurian Warbands, temporarily faced off with Rollo Maughling, the Archdruid of Stonehenge. But in the end peace appeared to reign, and the crowd dispersed, leaving behind a scatter of revelers overcome by sleep or drink. In all, 36,500 people trekked out to Salisbury Plain to celebrate the solstice.

A police officer takes a photograph of revelers as people gather to celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge in west England, early Sunday, June 21, 2009.
A police officer takes a photograph of revelers as people gather to celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge in west England, early Sunday, June 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
Revelers play music as people gather to celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge in west England, early Sunday, June 21, 2009.
Revelers play music as people gather to celebrate the summer solstice at Stonehenge in west England, early Sunday, June 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
The monument attracted some 35,000 people to mark the longest day of the year when the sunrise was expected at 4:58am under the cloudy sky. The parking lot was full by 3am.
The monument attracted some 35,000 people to mark the longest day of the year when the sunrise was expected at 4:58am under the cloudy sky. The parking lot was full by 3am.   (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
Though there were druids aplenty, what the solstice celebrations at Stonehenge were missing was the sun itself.
Though there were druids aplenty, what the solstice celebrations at Stonehenge were missing was the sun itself.   (AP Photo/Akira Suemori)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
riffran
Jun 22, 2009 8:57 AM CDT
Salisbury Plain???....Is that where they get the steak from? :)
Netstorm2k10
Jun 21, 2009 9:43 AM CDT
? Britain is a top, it's spin gone akilter.

A slideshow of the festivities
BBC

 
Stonehenge • druid • Salisbury • summer solstice

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