By Kate Bartlett
The Heron Farm and Event Center has been working towards raising funds to construct a new bathhouse since 2017. These long-awaited amenities are finally on the horizon and anticipated to open Memorial Day this year; however, The Heron is in need of community support in this final push.
Located in Sherman, NY, The Heron Farm & Event Center is a premier, 400-acre rustic campground and event venue, famous for hosting the annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival over July 4th weekend. Voted a top Hipcamp site, it offers forested/field camping, RV sites, and Airbnb rentals from May-October, featuring hiking trails, a pond, and a farm store.
Owner Julie Rockcastle describes the property as captivating, welcoming, and the perfect escape to nature. The Heron is renowned for its welcoming atmosphere, often described as a “magical” and “enchanted”, making it a popular destination for families and music lovers alike. Their 3-day summer music festival has attracted thousands of guests over the past 33 years, many of which have become friends who return year after year.
Julie has been planning this new bath house since demolishing the old in 2017. “It’s been a long time coming,” explains Julie. Fundraising and planning came to a halt during Covid, but picked back up in recent years. “We’ve done our best to utilize local contractors and suppliers, it’s been a pleasure working with them. Many kind and skilled professionals have helped this vision come to life.”
The new bath house will have 4 private shower units, sinks and toilets with plumbing. An outdoor sink will be accessible for guests to wash dishes, as well as a laundry room with washer and dryer. “We’re looking forward to helping our guests be more comfortable,” explains Julie. “It’s simple, but these simple things make a big difference.”
While fundraising efforts have raised a significant amount toward the project, a substantial total remains. “We’re thankful to have a good portion of funds, but we still need to raise more to get us through the final push to the first flush,” explains Julie. The bathhouse is anticipated to open Memorial Day weekend, but The Heron Farm and Event Center still needs $100,000 to complete the project and is currently running a Matching Fund Campaign.
Thanks to a generous contribution from a Heron community member, now every donation to the new bathhouse project at The Heron Farm and Event Center is being matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000. That means a $1,000 gift becomes $2,000, $100 becomes $200, and even $10 becomes $20. Every contribution goes twice as far, and if those who have visited and enjoyed The Heron each give what they can, the organization can raise the full $50,000 needed to unlock the match and help complete the project.
Isa Cardenas, Marketing & Events, encourages anyone who has visited The Heron Farm and Event Center over the years to consider making a donation. “For more than 30 years, this has been a gathering place for community — for music, camping, connecting with nature, and for families and friends who gather here year after year making this place so special. This bathhouse is about improving everyone’s experience at The Heron for years to come. If you’ve spent time here and it’s meant something to you, we invite you to help us finish this project. Every amount truly makes a difference especially now. It all adds up!”
Those interested in donating can make a contribution online at TheHeron.org, email Ju-lie.blueheron@gmail.org or call (716) 753-0371. Donations can also be added at checkout onto tickets purchased for The Great Blue Heron summer music festival. Personalized Bricks are also being sold to raise funds in 2 sizes for $100 and $225, and these will be utilized at the Bathhouse.
Upcoming events at The Heron include their Campground season opening on Memorial Day Weekend. A ribbon cutting ceremony for the bath house is planned along with the annual May Day Celebration, as well as Nature & Wellness programing. The annual Great Blue Heron music festival will take place Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5 2026 with tickets on sale and full schedule available online at GreatBlueHeron.com. (See band line up, page 5 in The Villager this week.)