Berryville, VA -- The first Tipi for The Gathering went up yesterday and exceeds 50’ in circumference and 19’ feet across at the base. Finding the right location for the Tipi was easy, thanks to Clermont Farm. Most of the time spent was shaving bark from 15 skinny poles ranging between 22’ to 26’ feet long.
    Chris White CEO of the Sanctuary on the Trail™ designed the Tipi based on the Sioux style Indian Tipi. Yesterday's installation was phase-1 standing up the Tipi. Phase-2 takes place later this month to wrap the Tipi with an original painting designed by Chris. At least two more Tipis are scheduled to go up at the Clarke County Fairgrounds as part of The Gathering.
     In partnership with Clermont Farm Tait Golightly, Chris White installed this first Native American Indian Tipi at the intersection of Highway 7 and Berryville Main Street on the corner of Clermont Farm on Tues. Sept. 15. Volunteers Patrick Skelley of Front Royal VA, Stuart Harrison of Boyce VA and Rene' Locklear White president of Sanctuary on the Trail™ helped.
    The Tipi installation is part of the behind the scenes to The Gathering, an educational celebration of agri-culture that includes traditional Native American Harvest Dance, 14th Annual Gourd Festival, Kidz Harvest Festival and much more scheduled for Oct. 30 - Nov. 1 at the Clarke County Fairgrounds.
    This Tipi project began months ago after meetings between Clermont Farm and Sanctuary on the Trail™
Bob Stieg, Tait Golightly, Mary Lou Rhodes and
Chris and Rene' White.
   Tipi is spelled Tepee and also spelled Teepee. They

are tent-like American Indian/Indigenous dwellings used mainly by Plains Indian Tribes. They are carefully designed to set up and break down quickly. As a tribe moved from place to place, each family would bring their tipi poles and hide tent along with them.