Leiz Would Go to Woodstock Again

Most people in Westfield look at Board of Education President Ginny Leiz as the poised, unmuddied woman presiding over the school system, but 40 years ago for at least one weekend, she was a mud-covered, drenched college student enjoying Woodstock.

Forty years ago this week, Leiz and a college friend drove from Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania to Max Yasgur's dairy farm in New York's Sulivan County to enjoy the outdoor concert that transformed a generation. The pair had bought tickets as soon as the concert was announced that spring.

"It was too good to be true," Leiz said. "I was a college student and in love with all the music."

Leiz and her friend spent the weekend in the Woodstock area, but only were on the property for a part of the festivities. They heard Joe Cocker perform and were there for the rain storm and then decided to leave. The two had spent the night before the storm camping out and when the storm came they found themselves soaked and covered in mud and uncomfortable staying longer. With the rain, Leiz and others found themselves slipping and sliding in the mud.

The two found themselves in a memorable road trip in more ways than just Woodstock. After leaving the grounds of the farm, they found two of their tires had been slashed and had to wait until they could get their car towed and two new tires before they could continue their weekend.

While the experience had some low points, Leiz looks back at the experience as one of the highlights of her college years.

"It was a great experience," she said. "I wished I had been there for more of the music."

By the time Leiz made it to Woodstock she was experienced at outdoor concerts, having attended many in Central Park, along with the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium. She noted that Woodstock was as crowded as it looks in the old footage and photos, but it was an experience to remember.

Leiz has not attended any of the Woodstock events staged in the years since the iconic concert in 1969. She has traveled back to Bethel, N.Y., to visit the Woodstock Museum and relive some of the experiences she had back in 1969. Leiz also revisited Woodstock this past June when the Presbyterian Church in Westfield held a picnic remembering Woodstock, where Leiz wore her original ticket around her neck. She said that while she would do it all over again she knows the summer of '69 cannot come back.

"If I was 20 again, I hope I would do it again," Leiz said. "It would not be the same today. I am thrilled I went."