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Rainbow Family Gathering brings mixed feelings to Southwest Montana

The Rainbow Family gathering 10 miles outside the SouthWest Montana town of Jackson reached its peak over the weekend, as revelers traveled from all over the country for the extended fourth of July weekend.

The U.S. Forest Service estimated nearly 10 thousand people camped on the piece of land in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The event promotes a message of peace, love, and non-violence.

Capitol Reporter Dan Boyce took us inside the gathering, which in many ways took on the characteristics of a small city—both the good and the bad.  

Credit Dan Boyce
Waitress Terry Dooling working at Rosa's Cantina in Jackson, Montana

The town nearest to the Rainbow Gathering, Jackson, boasts a population of about 25.

Dan also spoke with the locals, who had mixed feelings about the gathering and the law enforcement which came with it.

ONLINE_7.2_RAINBOW_FAMILY_PKG_ONE.mp3
Hear Dan Boyce's story from Montana Evening Edition

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