As members of the Rainbow Family of Living Light set up camp in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona to prepare for their annual world peace celebration, they're making their presence known to authorities and locals.
The affected towns have no choice but to accept the congregation of anarchists, environmentalists and hippies into their mountain community, however begrudgingly."Up here we're not used to this style of dress," said Sam Gardom, vice mayor in Springerville, a town about 15 miles from Carnero Lake, where the camp is being set up. "If it were up to me, I'd have them go somewhere else. But we have a tough bunch of people up here who can handle anything you throw at them."
The U.S. Forest Service, which has set up a command post at an elementary school in Eager and will have 36 officers to monitor the event, said Friday that people arriving for the Gathering in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest already are causing concern about traffic, drinking water quality, illegal drug use and runaways.
"You're going to see a big pickup in numbers over the weekend," said Rose Davis, spokesman for the Forest Service's seven-member task force that oversees the Gatherings. "This is real early. As more and more people come, you get strength in numbers. And that makes people act bolder."
The Rainbow Family, which has been holding the freewheeling confabs in various national forests since 1972, announced their selection last week on the group's unofficial Web site. The Gathering was held in Apache-Sitgreaves in 1979.
The celebration runs from June 24 to July 10. Between 15,000 and 25,000 people are expected. The highlight comes on July 4 when members gather in a massive circle and pray for world peace.
The Forest Service says traffic is increasing and those planning to attend are being warned about speeding on the narrow, twisting roads. Local police and the Department of Public Safety will be setting up speed checks along High-way 260 and local roads, officials say.
To protect the drinking water supply from being contaminated by vehicles, campers and pets, the Forest Service says it has been advising Rainbow Family members where parking and latrines can be established without hurting the land. The state, along with students from Northern Arizona University, are running tests on the water quality.
But the biggest headache so far has been criminal behavior at the Gathering campsite and off the Forest Service land.
"Our incidents are increasing daily," said Springerville Police Chief Steve West. "We haven't had any major conflicts yet. But I do expect it to go fairly smooth. We're prepared for whatever comes our way.'
West rattled off several minor offenses the police have dealt with this month: loitering, disorderly conduct, trespassing and people eating out of trash bins.
This past week, one person was arrested for dealing marijuana and another was cited for felony property damage at a convenience store.
On Monday, a vehicle carrying four family members rolled over, injuring the four occupants. Authorities arrested one of the injured for possession of an hallucinogenic drug and two others were identified as underage runaways.
West said the members of the Rainbow Family's security wing have pledged to look for and turn over to authorities underage runaways who find a haven among the gatherers.
He said there will not be any roadblocks or drug-sniffing dogs - as was feared by some Rainbow Family members - to screen people before they enter Forest Service lands.
Dave Ross, CEO for the White Mountain Communities Hospital, said he expects to see visitors in the local hospital emergency room for cuts, broken bones and other care. The hospital plans to set up a first-aid station near the Gathering to treat minor injuries.