Connecticut State Police Give Rare Look Inside 1970’s Powder Ridge Festival

You say the name Woodstock around here, and people instantly know you're talking about one of the biggest music festivals that ever was. You say the name Powder Ridge Music Festival, you'll probably be met with "never heard of it". That's why it's commonly referred to as "the biggest festival that never was". Recently, the Connecticut State Police released a few photos from that lost weekend in Middlefield in 1970, and I dug up a few vintage posters that I'd like to share with you.

The proposed line up for the Powder Ridge Rock Festival featured some of the biggest artists in rock music at the time: Fleetwood Mac, Allman Brothers, Janis Joplin, James Taylor, Joe Cocker, Grand Funk Railroad, Van Morrison, Mountain, Jethro Tull, Little Richard and Chuck Berry. They were all booked to perform and listed on the posters. All tickets were pre-sale, with it being announced prior that none would be sold at the gate. Here's a look back at that weekend in 1970: