Minnie Rock Grove

Minnie Rock Grove was the theme for the 2025 Grove Gathering.

Minnie Rock Grove 2025 report submitted by attendees of the Grove Gathering 2025: Minnie Rock Grove. Note that it is common to use SubGenius, Discordian, Grover, Jesusian, Pagan, Pastafarian, or other alternate names for the Gatherings. Some attendees had more than one known alias, but used still another for this event.

The ninth Gathering at the Grove was held from June 6-8, 2025, at Minnie Rock Ranch. (Try to find that name on a map--and don't look in Yosemite. Look for it in Neverland). The theme was Minnie Rock Grove (see Theme). It was the second Gathering at the Grove to feature a wedding, and the first to feature a wedding on site.

A total of 68 human beings attended the event. We didn't count the fairies (which didn't make Tinker Bell happy.)

Thursday[]

The Minnie Rock Ranch Hands showed up to finish getting the site ready. The main pavilion was already set up, and the porta potties were taken care of. (Not that tiny fairies try to use porta potties--they might fall in. Unless they keep flapping their wings.) There was the usual setting up--except for one of the ranch hands.

Ironically enough, that ranch hand, Shamlicht Al, had fallen the day before on a mini rock. Fortunately, the injury wasn't serious, and the ranch hand was the one who joked about how inappropriately appropriate that was. Another ranch hand, Earth Tiger, kept an eye on the patient--but fortunately didn't bite. Stormy weather was expected during the event.

And to keep bugs from biting, small scraps of food were scattered fairly near, but not too near, the main pavilion. That way the bugs could find food and stop before they got to the pavilion. That's an old and valuable American Indian trick (don't look for it in 1953's Peter Pan.)

Friday[]

Fairy light shining on "Bob". (Taken at Minnie Rock Ranch).

The Troll Booth was personned (not manned) by Luma Sky and Shamlicht Al who were also official attendance keepers. So if there wasn't exactly 68 people there, blame them. Suggested donation for admission was $25.25. But some were associated with Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, or with the American Minnie Rae traveling to Britain which inspired J.M. Barrie. They could pay £25.25. Or, in honor of it being 537 Day (5 (May) 37), they could pay £537. More seriously, some gave more than recommended to help others.

Essentials were sold at cost, with free re-bottled water. Luxury items were sold for profit. Or prophets.

Lifeguards throughout the event were Dolphin Blue and Princess Unicornia. Swimming was in the newer Dolphin Lagoon aka Mermaid Pond. Security throughout was handled by Gentleman Starkey and Mr. Smee. But while last year's gathering was by invitation only, attendance at this year's event was even more restrictive to avoid last year's mishaps. The Cloved Lemon Kissing Game was less restrictive.

The Opening Ceremony was performed by Enchantric and Princess Unicornia. (Enchantric had proposed to the princess at the third Gathering at the Grove event, Woodstock on the Moon, in 2019. Which was accepted.) The opening told the story of the Grove Gathering. And it told a bit about the connection between Mary "Minnie Rae" Simpson aka Maimie Mannering aka Wendy Darling, Peter Pan, and their creator J.M. Barrie. (The story was censored for those under age 125).

Saturday[]

The late Minima, co-founder of the Shamlicht Kids Club's Purple Ferret's Nest, was honored.

Speakers included PFN founding members Koko Kitty and Harry Monkey. and Bumper Bunny who later became a nestler.

Both the late PFN leaders Minimaw and Bishop Bangkok are planned to be mentioned in a coming GURPS supplement.

After the honors were done, a dancing and drumming workshop was led by Rosey Tiger and Jadway Dancer. Music was provided by Fairy Princess Yoshikyoko, Shamlicht Al, and Tawdry Titmouse.

A planned body painting workshop unfortunately was cancelled as the planned instructors were unable to attend.

Calvinball was led by no one. But played by many.

The Minnie Rock Band bore strong similarity to Bear Nuked's band Bearozap and Grove 23's Critters of Passion. Their songs included "D.R.E.A.M." from Miley Ray Cyrus's EP She is Coming. And also Johnny Cash's "The Man Comes Around" which talks about flying, the noise of thunder (which was expected), and hints at a grove and a grave. It also includes the lines, "The virgins are all trimming their wicks" and "It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks." They also performed "Megapark" by, of course, Minnie Rock. And they performed the Peter Pan songs "A Pirate's Life," "The Second Star to the Right," and "You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!"

After Dark was the Dream Mare/Wonder Wake. Fairies and other flyers would appear unexpectedly.

Sunday[]

Games included Fiddlesticks Pitch taught by Captain Hooker and a member of Minnie Rock Band (who hasn't decided what name to use for this report.) Various other games were played.

The closing ceremony was led by Captain Hooker and Lagoon Elf. Among other things, awards were announced:

Neverland Flyers: (those who traveled the furthest): Miley Spears and the Three Pink Elephants
Weirdest Minnie Rock Dance Without Pants: Disco-Rdian Dance Trippers
Tinkerbell Body Painting Award: Jewel Fool
Best Fairy Canvas: Fickle Turtle
Best Wearable Art: Bumper Bunny
Fiddlesticks Pitch: Willow Skyhook and Xandra
Dream Mare/Wonder Waker: Fairy Princess Yoshikyoko
Theme for 2026: "No King Victorianus" suggested by Shamlicht Al and Captain Hooker

The expected rain and thunderstorms didn't come--until after the wedding.

Sunday: Post Event Wedding[]

A marriage had been held during the 2018 Grove Gathering, X-Day Underground. While that wedding was held during the Grove Gathering but off site, this wedding was held after the Grove Gathering but on site.

The wedding of the Groom Mystario (Peter Pan) and the Bride Verbascum Hare (Wendy "Minnie Rae" Darling) was led by Priestess Gypsie Skripto. The Bride's Attendant was Huntress Whisperwood and the Groom's Attendant was Ethan. It was held not too long after the gathering finished. Most people who attended had attended the gathering, but some came just for the wedding.

Theme[]

The theme was chosen to recognize:

The 60th year anniversary of the original version of the Principia Discordia
The 70th year anniversary of the official Church of the SubGenius
The 70th year anniversary of the Broadway version of "Peter Pan" (Peter means "rock", and his girlfriend Wendy was based on Mary "Minnie Rae" Simpson, who was declared "The Little Countess" by Emperor Norton)
The 70th year anniversary of the movie adaptation of Evan Hunter's novel Blackboard Jungle which featured "Rock Around the Clock" (to which teenagers would jump out of their chairs and dance)
The 70th year anniversary of "Rock Around the Clock" becoming the first rock and roll recording to hit the top of Billboard's Pop charts, a feat it repeated on charts around the world
The 70th year anniversary of Disney's original The Mickey Mouse Club (which featured Minnie Mouse)
The 70th year anniversary of Disneyland (which features Peter "rock" Pan, Minnie "Wendy" Rae, and Minerva "Minnie" Mouse)
The 95th year anniversary of the first appearance of The Strange Case of Peter the Lett
The 95th year anniversary of the first book banning of Ireland's Censorship of Publications Board
The 165th year (70+95) anniversary of the birth of Minnie Rae