In today’s day and age, one would think that due to the vast diversification throughout Canada, that people in this country would be more accepting of others. In all honesty I would hope that most would want to experience life to the fullest.
So, let us look at an event that created a great deal of hostility, misunderstandings and exposed a country community in Canada for its bias and bigotry towards the unknown and the misunderstood.
Here we have a nudist ranch, horses, farming and a small little camp ground with a membership of devout nudists in a community far away from any urban areas, that on the surface pretends to promote agri tourism.
Perhaps that is only on the surface do to the fact that it is a mandate of their County to do so.
Now let us keep in mind we are talking about 100 acres of land, where the campground and the all Adult Nudists Venue is located at the front end of the property. (Yes, I said that) and I will get back to that momentarily.
Our nudist friends, family and membership have all been able to enjoy an area of the land that has become a part of their lives for over five years. There is also several hay fields and a large forested area in the back of the property.
Well as fate would have it for us, we were approached by an organization that was looking for some land to rent for an annual event with the hopes of creating a home base location for them. Perhaps moving forward and on an annual basis that would award them the opportunity to express their artistic and creative abilities with this all-inclusive festival. (which included their families young and old).
We, therefore, in 2017 signed a land rental agreement with the organization to accommodate 350 people in the back area of the 100 acres.
Now for anyone who had taken the time to look at our website, it was made crystal clear as to the reasoning our beloved ranch had become an adult only venue. We had only had the safety of children in mind when that decision was made. You see horses can be very unpredictable and at no time did we wish to have a child’s life endangered by livestock. Over time, it became apparent that adults need there down time as well and welcomed a venue that accommodated just that, a space free from children.
As nudists, we also appreciate that many families have raised their children within the nudist culture and have had them become more confident, accepting and well rounded through this life experience.
Unfortunately for nudists, not everyone understands this, nor do they take the time to understand.
Given that this organization was welcoming of all participants, you can appreciate that there was a degree of reluctance for us as it was going against our Adult Only Policies. Therefore, it was agreed that the organization could utilize a portion of the properties hay fields that were set very far back in the property and away from our nudist clientele and business.
What we were unaware of was that a Special Event permit was required of us for holding any event over 250 individuals.
So, if you recall in Part One and Two of this series, we had issues with livestock at large throughout the years and this event was to have no exception to the rule. During preparations the organizers experienced many cattle roaming our back fields from several farms away. I am sure you can appreciate that setting up tents and art exhibits in a field of cow patties would not be very welcoming to the participants of this event.
Once again, we found ourselves trying to deal with a farming family that was not interested in dealing with the issue at hand and caring properly for their livestock. This led to the subsequent fines and harassment that has been persistent from that day forward.
I do wish to take this time, to apologize up front for any anger that you may be reading in my writings, but in all honesty as this nightmare unfolds you will understand the frustration and yes anger that has been created and why?
Some days we feel like we are living and breathing episode after episode of something like the mini series of “Into the Badlands” or perhaps “How My Stomach Turns”.
Anyway, just before the event was to unfold a few neighbours heard or read about the event and started on a mission of nothing more than a vindictive assault on our very beings here. Hence the look and feel of a lynch mob to us, one that has assailed us continually from that day forward as you will come to see.
Complaints into the municipal office such as:
Delegations to local county council regarding land use compliance surrounding our proposed event.
Letters to Council and our event organizers calling us arrogant and claiming we were pulling a stunt/ money grab from the organizers themselves.
Complaining that we had put 2000.00 worth of gravel on an unmaintained road that these people did nothing more than to tear it up every time we endeavoured to fix it up and make it an enjoyable passage for all.
Complained about permits and anything else they could imagine and of course at the root of it all, our family values and nudity became the “Pit of their Peach”.
Freedom Fields Naturist Ranch 