Kinstone

Monthly Community Healing Ritual - June
2026-06-27 16:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Kinstone, S3439 Cole Bluff Ln, Fountain City, WI, 54629
Join us for monthly community healing rituals on fourth Saturdays – June 27 thru Oct 24.

“Ritual is called for because our soul communicates things to us
that the body translates as need, or want, or absence.
So we enter into ritual in order to respond to the call of the soul.”
― Malidoma Patrice Somé, Ritual: Power, Healing and Community

Join us for this monthly community healing ritual led by Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome.
During these events, we will come together and create a ritual that emerges from the rhythm of all who are gathered, their current needs, and the guidance and support of the elemental beings of the fire (ancestors), water, earth, nature, and mineral.
What gets created in group ritual arises out of the participants voices. Together, we will create something NEW based on the relationships each participant carries with them into our circle from their own inner wisdom that may or may not be already known.
This event is highly participatory. You are asked to arrive with an open heart and mind and a willingness to learn from the Elements themselves, as well as willingness to support your fellow participants. Alcohol and drug use are not allowed during these events.

Cost: These rituals are donation based + the entrance fee to Kinstone ($10). Our hope is to keep these accessible to any who are feeling the call to community and nature-based healing. If the cost of entrance to Kinstone is prohibitive, please reach out, we have a scholarship fund for those in need.
No pre-registration is required; just show up with your Kinstone admission (pay in the Visitor Center before the event or check in at the Visitor Center if you have paid in advance or have your season pass) and bring a free-will donation for Erica (cash is appreciated and will be collected by Erica during the event). Note that Erica shares all donations with her elders to aid in the continuation of their work.

Date: June 27
Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
If you’d like to learn more about the language of ritual, join us in the parking area at 2pm before each event to help with set up, planning and to begin learning the Language of Ritual.
Kinstone Location: The Pond
Theme and Element: Shape Shifting (WATER)

This is a monthly series; all the dates, locations and themes in the series are listed here:

June 27 | The Pond | Shape Shifting (WATER)
July 25 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Burial and Re-bEarth (EARTH)
August 22 | The Great Stone Circle | Wisdom in Our Bones (MINERAL)
September 26 | The Dolmen | Tending the Ancestral (FIRE)
October 24 | The Three Witnesses | Return to Authenticity (NATURE)

About the leader:
Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC, is a licensed professional counselor in private practice Winona, MN. Erica has taught mindfulness meditation in diverse settings such as universities, corporate environments, and local organizations. She uses creative and empowering methods to evoke client-centered transformation and provide individuals, couples, and families with tools to take and use over their lifetime. Some of the methods she uses are group and community ritual facilitation, somatic and body-centered therapy, focusing, spiritual re-wilding, earth and nature-based therapy, and Indigenous African technologies. Ritual is at the core of all that she offers.
Erica’s awareness and knowledge of ritual and her relationships with the Elements have been inspired and encouraged by her teachers, Dagara Elder Malidoma Somé and Elder Theresa Sykes Brittany. Read more about Erica at her website https://ericathibodeaux.com/.

June 27 | Dolmen | Fire (Ancestors)
July 18 | Pond | Water
August 15 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Earth
September 19 | The Three Witnesses sculpture | Nature (Authenticity)
October 17 | Great Stone Circle | Mineral

New Moon Awakening: Celestial Sisterhood Women's Circle
2026-07-10 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-08-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-09-11 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-10-09 18:00 - 20:00
All women are invited to join our monthly women’s circle around the fire and under the new moon starting on May 15!
New Moon Awakening: The Celestial Sisterhood is a monthly women’s gathering held at Kinstone generally on the Friday closest to the New Moon in the same month. Under the embrace of the new moon, this event, facilitated by Sierra Lynn of Yog Collective or Deanna Skroch, invites women into a profound exploration of self and sisterhood here at this sacred stone sanctuary where the wisdom of the earth and the cosmos is embodied.
In this sacred space, we will experience:

Intentional movement that harmonizes our bodies with the rhythms of nature, awakening our innate energy and grounding our spirits.
Guided breathwork to deepen our connection to the divine within, inviting clarity and the release of old patterns as we prepare to set our intentions of rebirth.
Emotive dialogue, to honor each woman’s story, fostering a rich tapestry of shared experiences and insights. Our connection practices will cultivate a deep sense of unity, allowing us to celebrate the power of vulnerability and the strength found in sisterhood.

Cloaked in the elements and held by the fire, we close our gathering with meaningful ritual, aligning our intentions with the lunar cycle and invoking the transformative energy of the new moon. Join us here for a journey of awakening and renewal, as we embrace the magic of the new moon and the celestial sisterhood that binds us all.
After the event ends, all participants are asked to leave Kinstone in a timely manner. If you wish to wander the grounds, please come earlier in the day, prior to the start of the event.

Monthly schedule: generally the second Friday of the month (usually the closest Friday to the new moon) from May through October
Dates: May 15, June 12, July 10, August 14, September 11, and October 9
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Around the Fire in the Stargazer Circle at Kinstone, S3439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, Wisconsin 54629
Cost: These monthly new moon gatherings are donation based PLUS the entrance fee to Kinstone ($10). Plan to arrive early enough to pay admission prior to the event. The Visitor Center will remain open until 6:45pm on these event nights to accommodate this.
Our hope is to keep these accessible to any women who are feeling the call to community and celestial sisterhood. If the cost of entrance to Kinstone is prohibitive, please reach out, we have a scholarship fund for those in need. Consider a Season Pass to Kinstone if you plan to attend these and/or other Kinstone admission+ donation-based events regularly!
No pre-registration is required; just show up with your Kinstone admission (pay in the Visitor Center before the event or check in at the Visitor Center if you have paid in advance or have your season pass) and bring a free-will donation for your facilitator (cash is appreciated and will be collected by the facilitator during the event).
The Visitor Center will be kept open on New Moon Awakening evenings until at least 6:45pm to accommodate folks coming in for these events. Try to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
What to bring: your admission ($10) and a cash donation for the leader, a chair and/or blanket to sit on outdoors, sunscreen, insect repellent, extra layers of clothing, a water bottle, an umbrella for rain or sun, flashlights or headlamps for dark nights. Also bring any short poem, quote, or reading you may wish to share.

Monthly Community Healing Ritual - July
2026-07-25 16:00 - 19:00
Join us for monthly community healing rituals on fourth Saturdays – June 27 thru Oct 24.

“Ritual is called for because our soul communicates things to us
that the body translates as need, or want, or absence.
So we enter into ritual in order to respond to the call of the soul.”
― Malidoma Patrice Somé, Ritual: Power, Healing and Community

Join us for this monthly community healing ritual led by Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome.
During these events, we will come together and create a ritual that emerges from the rhythm of all who are gathered, their current needs, and the guidance and support of the elemental beings of the fire (ancestors), water, earth, nature, and mineral.
What gets created in group ritual arises out of the participants voices. Together, we will create something NEW based on the relationships each participant carries with them into our circle from their own inner wisdom that may or may not be already known.
This event is highly participatory. You are asked to arrive with an open heart and mind and a willingness to learn from the Elements themselves, as well as willingness to support your fellow participants. Alcohol and drug use are not allowed during these events.

Cost: These rituals are donation based + the entrance fee to Kinstone ($10). Our hope is to keep these accessible to any who are feeling the call to community and nature-based healing. If the cost of entrance to Kinstone is prohibitive, please reach out, we have a scholarship fund for those in need.
No pre-registration is required; just show up with your Kinstone admission (pay in the Visitor Center before the event or check in at the Visitor Center if you have paid in advance or have your season pass) and bring a free-will donation for Erica (cash is appreciated and will be collected by Erica during the event). Note that Erica shares all donations with her elders to aid in the continuation of their work.

Date: July 25
Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
If you’d like to learn more about the language of ritual, join us in the parking area at 2pm before each event to help with set up, planning and to begin learning the Language of Ritual.
Kinstone Location: Under the Pines by the Yurt
Theme and Element: Burial and Re-bEarth (EARTH)

This is a monthly series; all the dates, locations and themes in the series are listed here:

June 27 | The Pond | Shape Shifting (WATER)
July 25 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Burial and Re-bEarth (EARTH)
August 22 | The Great Stone Circle | Wisdom in Our Bones (MINERAL)
September 26 | The Dolmen | Tending the Ancestral (FIRE)
October 24 | The Three Witnesses | Return to Authenticity (NATURE)

About the leader:
Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC, is a licensed professional counselor in private practice Winona, MN. Erica has taught mindfulness meditation in diverse settings such as universities, corporate environments, and local organizations. She uses creative and empowering methods to evoke client-centered transformation and provide individuals, couples, and families with tools to take and use over their lifetime. Some of the methods she uses are group and community ritual facilitation, somatic and body-centered therapy, focusing, spiritual re-wilding, earth and nature-based therapy, and Indigenous African technologies. Ritual is at the core of all that she offers.
Erica’s awareness and knowledge of ritual and her relationships with the Elements have been inspired and encouraged by her teachers, Dagara Elder Malidoma Somé and Elder Theresa Sykes Brittany. Read more about Erica at her website https://ericathibodeaux.com/.

June 27 | Dolmen | Fire (Ancestors)
July 18 | Pond | Water
August 15 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Earth
September 19 | The Three Witnesses sculpture | Nature (Authenticity)
October 17 | Great Stone Circle | Mineral

Monthly Community Healing Ritual - August
2026-08-22 16:00 - 19:00
Join us for monthly community healing rituals on fourth Saturdays – June 27 thru Oct 24.

“Ritual is called for because our soul communicates things to us
that the body translates as need, or want, or absence.
So we enter into ritual in order to respond to the call of the soul.”
― Malidoma Patrice Somé, Ritual: Power, Healing and Community

Join us for this monthly community healing ritual led by Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome.
During these events, we will come together and create a ritual that emerges from the rhythm of all who are gathered, their current needs, and the guidance and support of the elemental beings of the fire (ancestors), water, earth, nature, and mineral.
What gets created in group ritual arises out of the participants voices. Together, we will create something NEW based on the relationships each participant carries with them into our circle from their own inner wisdom that may or may not be already known.
This event is highly participatory. You are asked to arrive with an open heart and mind and a willingness to learn from the Elements themselves, as well as willingness to support your fellow participants. Alcohol and drug use are not allowed during these events.

Cost: These rituals are donation based + the entrance fee to Kinstone ($10). Our hope is to keep these accessible to any who are feeling the call to community and nature-based healing. If the cost of entrance to Kinstone is prohibitive, please reach out, we have a scholarship fund for those in need.
No pre-registration is required; just show up with your Kinstone admission (pay in the Visitor Center before the event or check in at the Visitor Center if you have paid in advance or have your season pass) and bring a free-will donation for Erica (cash is appreciated and will be collected by Erica during the event). Note that Erica shares all donations with her elders to aid in the continuation of their work.

Date: August 22
Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
If you’d like to learn more about the language of ritual, join us in the parking area at 2pm before each event to help with set up, planning and to begin learning the Language of Ritual.
Kinstone Location: The Great Stone Circle
Theme and Element: Wisdom in Our Bones (MINERAL)

This is a monthly series; all the dates, locations and themes in the series are listed here:

June 27 | The Pond | Shape Shifting (WATER)
July 25 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Burial and Re-bEarth (EARTH)
August 22 | The Great Stone Circle | Wisdom in Our Bones (MINERAL)
September 26 | The Dolmen | Tending the Ancestral (FIRE)
October 24 | The Three Witnesses | Return to Authenticity (NATURE)

About the leader:
Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC, is a licensed professional counselor in private practice Winona, MN. Erica has taught mindfulness meditation in diverse settings such as universities, corporate environments, and local organizations. She uses creative and empowering methods to evoke client-centered transformation and provide individuals, couples, and families with tools to take and use over their lifetime. Some of the methods she uses are group and community ritual facilitation, somatic and body-centered therapy, focusing, spiritual re-wilding, earth and nature-based therapy, and Indigenous African technologies. Ritual is at the core of all that she offers.
Erica’s awareness and knowledge of ritual and her relationships with the Elements have been inspired and encouraged by her teachers, Dagara Elder Malidoma Somé and Elder Theresa Sykes Brittany. Read more about Erica at her website https://ericathibodeaux.com/.

June 27 | Dolmen | Fire (Ancestors)
July 18 | Pond | Water
August 15 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Earth
September 19 | The Three Witnesses sculpture | Nature (Authenticity)
October 17 | Great Stone Circle | Mineral

August Full Moon Sound Bath
2026-08-28 20:00 - 22:00
Experience a full immersion sound bath in the Great Stone Circle while the Full Sturgeon Moon rises rises! At this nighttime event, watch the sunset, relax with sacred sounds of rare Tibetan singing bowls, huge gongs and Native American flute. Bring your favorite crystal with you to charge it up with all this high vibe energy. You will also have an opportunity to get your chakras grounded with healing vibrations while standing in a large singing bowl and/or choose a sound bath where you will be drenched in focused sound vibrations as you sit in front of a massive gong.
If skies are clear you will be able to see the (nearly) full moon rise over the rim of the world and over the standing stones of Kinstone. It is a brilliant experience made even more amazing with the accompanying vibrations and sounds of the flute, bowls and gongs.
Date: Friday, August 28 RAIN DATE: Saturday, August 29 (same time)
Time: 8:00pm – 10:00pm (early seating starts at 7:00pm)
Regular Price: $30.00 online and at the door
Early Bird price through July 27: $25.00
There are No Refunds unless cancelled by Kinstone on both the scheduled date and the rain date.
Note: This price is for a ticket for the event only and does NOT include general admission to Kinstone. If you arrive early and wish to walk the grounds, please pay your admission separately and check-in at the Visitor Center to get your admission stamp. Thank you.
Pay at the door (cash only) is possible. If you plan to come to this event and pay at the door, please CONTACT US to verify availability and to register. Advanced payment is preferred.
TICKET LINK: Get your ticket for this event here.
IMPORTANT: Before purchasing your ticket, please note the rain date and hold it open on your calendar. If the event is rained out on August 28, it will be held on August 29 instead. Only if both dates are rained out we will cancel the event and refund all ticket holders. All ticket holders who have provided a valid email address will be notified by email of any change in schedule and/or cancellation.
On Friday, August 28, moonrise is 8:00pm and sunset is 7:49pm.
On Saturday, August 29, moonrise is 8:19pm and sunset is 7:47pm.
The Moon reaches is peak fullness at 11:18pm on Thursday, August 27.
Bring your printed ticket or electronic ticket on your phone with you for admission! If paying at the door, bring $30 in CASH; correct change please. Plus, bring extra cash if you wish to do the Chakra Grounding and/or Gong Bath; they are $5 each payable directly to Frank and Kathy. And, last but not least, our Visitor Center/Gift Shop will be open until 7:00pm, so if you want a t-shirt, sweatshirt, cap, or other merch, please plan to come early and shop – cash is preferred, but credit card/debit card/apple-pay/paypal and more are accepted!

SCHEDULE:
When you arrive, park in our parking area and then walk to the Great Stone Circle. Find the ticket table near the Stone Circle and check in. If you have already paid online, check in and show your receipt. If you are paying at the door, check in and pay your admission. In either case, your hand will be stamped with an event stamp and then you can find a place to sit in the Circle. Enjoy! If you arrive after the sounds have begun, please be extra quiet as you get settled. If you bring children with you, please ensure that they stay with you at all times and maintain quiet voices.
First Hour: Enjoy the Session in Sound offered by Frank Andresen and Kathy Hansman from Temple Harmonics of Winona, MN – A light show and healing sound bath with gongs, singing bowls and flutes in the Great Stone Circle. The rising FULL MOON will be seen (weather permitting) as it climbs up from the eastern horizon while we welcome it with awe
According to Frank, the gong is a psycho-acoustic gateway to heightened states of awareness and consciousness. It is an ideal tool for stress reduction. Gongs and singing bowls are useful in resolving emotional and physical dissonance. Magic happens when there is no separation between the gong or the bowl, the player and the listener. Playing and listening to gongs and bowls is about spiritual, physical and emotional resolution. The sounds and frequencies help to open doors and windows onto the Universe, moving around Universal energies and perhaps even usher the listener into a spiritual dimension.
After the sound bath: Optional Chakra Grounding or Gong Bath, each costs $5 extra in cash. Bring cash if you want to participate; first come first served.

Chakra Grounding

Experience sound frequency healing while standing inside a large singing bowl

Gong Bath

Experience sound frequency healing while sitting in front of a large gong

*IMPORTANT: This is a family friendly, alcohol free, smoke free event.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring your own chair, reclining lawn chair, blankets, pillows, or mats for your comfort. Bring a flashlight, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring something to protect yourself from any mosquitoes or other biting insects as they may become more active after sunset. Bring your favorite crystal to charge it up with all this high vibe energy – and don’t forget to take it home again! Bring your printed ticket with you for admission! If paying at the door, bring $30 in CASH; correct change please. Plus, bring extra cash if you wish to do the Chakra Grounding and/or Gong Bath, they are $5 each. Come early if you want to stop in the Kinstone Gift Shop before the show. Note: it gets chilly at night sometimes, so it is recommended that you dress in layers and bring a blanket!
Refund Policy: There are no refunds. If you sign up and then determine you cannot attend; you may offer your ticket to another individual if you wish. In case the event is cancelled due to rain on both its originally scheduled date AND its published rain date, we will refund your ticket, otherwise, there are NO REFUNDS. Watch this webpage and/or the corresponding event page on Facebook for updates on schedule changes and cancellations due to weather. We will post schedule changes and/or cancellation notifications no earlier than 4 hours and no later than 1 hour before the scheduled start time of the event.

Photo credit: All photos on this page are by Kristine Beck

Autumnal Equinox Observance and Sunset Alignment
2026-09-22 18:00 - 19:30
Watch the Sunset Alignment at Kinstone and Catch the Sun on the Autumnal Equinox
This Autumn Equinox and Sunset Alignment event is on the evening of Equinox as we say farewell to Summer by watching its last sunset together. The actual Equinox is at 7:05pm tonight – almost at the exact same time as sunset (which is at 7:03pm).

At Kinstone we have a unique alignment visible only at Equinox at sunset. Stand with us and the Enlightenment Stones (Atlas and Lancelot) as the sun aligns to shine through the perforations in Lancelot and cast a line of bright points of light onto Atlas. Come and see! Join us to celebrate the coming of harvest-time and the golden season of autumn.

Autumnal Equinox is an astronomically significant solar event. It occurs when the sun is midpoint in its journey from Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice. The sun appears to rise at due east and set at due west. It is traditionally seen as a time of balance. The light of day and the dark of night are equal. It is a herald of winter; a time for settling in for the season of rest, rejuvenation and root work.
COST: admission to Kinstone ($10/person); arrive early and pay in the Kinstone Visitor Center before the event; No Registration Required
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
LOCATION: Meet at the stones known as “Atlas and Lancelot” at Kinstone, S3439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, WI, 54629
Actual sunset is expected at 7:03pm for our location. However, with the topography specific to Kinstone, the time we witness it is always a little bit earlier than expected.
This will be a quiet, meditative event with a short opening rite and reading to send Summer off with grace. Given fair weather and clear skies as the sun sets in the West, we will witness the light as it passes through the “Wise One” (Lancelot) and enlightens the “World” (Atlas). If the sunlight is strong enough and unobstructed by clouds on the horizon, we will see a line of polka-dots on Atlas and a select few folks may be able to “catch the sun” as it aligns with the perforations in Lancelot. We will begin watching for opportunities to Catch the Sun immediately after our readings.
Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear, jackets, scarves, hats and gloves. Bring a camp chair or blanket to sit on, for your comfort, if you wish. Be prepared for it to be breezy and cool up here on the ridge. Many people underestimate the wind and cold.

This event is outdoors and will be held only if weather permits. If it is raining or storming this event will be cancelled. Cancellations will be posted only on this event page and on the corresponding Facebook event page no earlier than 4 hours and not later than one (1) hour before the scheduled start time for this event.

Catching the Sun: It has become a tradition during the Equinox Sunset at Kinstone for us to try to “catch the sun”. As many as we can get through while the sun is bright will be given a chance to be photographed with their hands catching the sun – bring a friend who can be your photographer!

HAPPY AUTUMN!
Interesting fact: The exact time of the astronomical Autumnal Equinox is Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 7:05pm CDT.

Autumn Equinox Sunrise Observance - Equinox Heart Alignment
2026-09-23 06:30 - 07:30
Watch the Equinox Sunrise Alignment at Kinstone when the Sun Enlightens the Heart Stone.

At Kinstone we have a unique alignment visible only at Equinox at sunrise. Stand with us in The Three Witnesses sculpture as the sun aligns through the Equinox Window and highlights the Heart Stone. We call this the Equinox Heart Alignment; come and see!

Autumn Equinox is an astronomically significant solar event. It occurs when the sun is midpoint in its journey from Summer Solstice to Winter Solstice. The sun appears to rise at due east and set at due west. It is traditionally seen as a time of balance. The light of day and the dark of night are equal. It is a harbinger of winter; a time for settling in for the season of rest, rejuvenation and root work.

We will gather in the center of The Three Witnesses sculpture at Kinstone. Given fair weather and clear skies, we will watch the sun as it crests the ridge (and the corn across the road!) and beams through the Equinox Window to light up the heart of the middle standing stone, known as the “Heart Stone” and thus the “Heart Alignment”. Given cloudy weather, we will not see the sunrise, but will greet it ceremoniously regardless! This will be a quiet, meditative event with a short opening rite and reading.
After our readings, if the sun is visible, participants may witness the alignment through the Equinox Window, see the highlighted Heart Stone, sit in the light of the sun, take photos, and greet the sunrise.
Actual sunrise is at 6:55am. However, with the topography specific to Kinstone and the fields and trees in our view, the time we witness it is always 15 to 20 minutes later.
The Visitor Center will open at 6:00am on this day, please arrive early enough to stop in to pay admission and/or check in before the event begins. Thank you.

COST: admission to Kinstone ($10/person) (pay in person in the Kinstone Visitor Center upon arrival); No Registration Required
Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Time: 6:30am – 7:30am (at Sunrise)
Location: The Three Witnesses Sculpture at Kinstone, S3439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, WI, 54629

Dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear, jackets, scarves, hats and gloves. Bring a camp chair or blanket to sit on, for your comfort, if you wish. Be prepared for it to be breezy and cool up here on the ridge. Many people underestimate the wind and cold.

This event is outdoors and will be held only weather permitting. If it is raining or storming this event will be cancelled. Cancellations will be posted only on this event page and on the corresponding Facebook event page no earlier than 4 hours and not later than one (1) hour before the scheduled start time for this event.

HAPPY AUTUMN!
Interesting fact: The exact time of the astronomical Autumnal Equinox is Tuesday, September 22, 2026 – at 7:05pm CDT.
Photo Credit: Kristine Beck; It shows the Equinox Window with a Red sky reflection in the Three Witnesses at Kinstone.

September Full Moon Sound Bath
2026-09-25 18:30 - 20:30
Experience a full immersion sound bath in the Great Stone Circle while the Full Corn Moon rises rises! At this nighttime event, watch the sunset, relax with sacred sounds of rare Tibetan singing bowls, huge gongs and Native American flute. Bring your favorite crystal with you to charge it up with all this high vibe energy. You will also have an opportunity to get your chakras grounded with healing vibrations while standing in a large singing bowl and/or choose a sound bath where you will be drenched in focused sound vibrations as you sit in front of a massive gong.
If skies are clear you will be able to see the (nearly) full moon rise over the rim of the world and over the standing stones of Kinstone. It is a brilliant experience made even more amazing with the accompanying vibrations and sounds of the flute, bowls and gongs.
Date: Friday, September 25 Time: 6:30pm RAIN DATE: Saturday, September 26 (same time)
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm (early seating starts at 6:00pm)
Regular Price: $30.00 online and at the door
Early Bird price through August 24: $25.00
There are No Refunds unless cancelled by Kinstone on both the scheduled date and the rain date.
Note: This price is for a ticket for the event only and does NOT include general admission to Kinstone. If you arrive early and wish to walk the grounds, please pay your admission separately and check-in at the Visitor Center to get your admission stamp. Thank you.
Pay at the door (cash only) is possible. If you plan to come to this event and pay at the door, please CONTACT US to verify availability and to register. Advanced payment is preferred.
TICKET LINK: Get your ticket for this event here.
IMPORTANT: Before purchasing your ticket, please note the rain date and hold it open on your calendar. If the event is rained out on September 25, it will be held on September 26 instead. Only if both dates are rained out we will cancel the event and refund all ticket holders. All ticket holders who have provided a valid email address will be notified by email of any change in schedule and/or cancellation.
On Friday, September 25, moonrise is 6:23pm and sunset is 6:58pm.
On Saturday, September 26, moonrise is 6:43pm and sunset is 6:56pm.
The Moon reaches is peak fullness at 11:49am on Saturday, September 26
Bring your printed ticket or electronic ticket on your phone with you for admission! If paying at the door, bring $30 in CASH; correct change please. Plus, bring extra cash if you wish to do the Chakra Grounding and/or Gong Bath; they are $5 each payable directly to Frank and Kathy. And, last but not least, our Visitor Center/Gift Shop will be open until 7:00pm, so if you want a t-shirt, sweatshirt, cap, or other merch, please plan to come early and shop – cash is preferred, but credit card/debit card/apple-pay/paypal and more are accepted!

SCHEDULE:
When you arrive, park in our parking area and then walk to the Great Stone Circle. Find the ticket table near the Stone Circle and check in. If you have already paid online, check in and show your receipt. If you are paying at the door, check in and pay your admission. In either case, your hand will be stamped with an event stamp and then you can find a place to sit in the Circle. Enjoy! If you arrive after the sounds have begun, please be extra quiet as you get settled. If you bring children with you, please ensure that they stay with you at all times and maintain quiet voices.
First Hour: Enjoy the Session in Sound offered by Frank Andresen and Kathy Hansman from Temple Harmonics of Winona, MN – A light show and healing sound bath with gongs, singing bowls and flutes in the Great Stone Circle. The rising FULL MOON will be seen (weather permitting) as it climbs up from the eastern horizon while we welcome it with awe
According to Frank, the gong is a psycho-acoustic gateway to heightened states of awareness and consciousness. It is an ideal tool for stress reduction. Gongs and singing bowls are useful in resolving emotional and physical dissonance. Magic happens when there is no separation between the gong or the bowl, the player and the listener. Playing and listening to gongs and bowls is about spiritual, physical and emotional resolution. The sounds and frequencies help to open doors and windows onto the Universe, moving around Universal energies and perhaps even usher the listener into a spiritual dimension.
After the sound bath: Optional Chakra Grounding or Gong Bath, each costs $5 extra in cash. Bring cash if you want to participate; first come first served.

Chakra Grounding

Experience sound frequency healing while standing inside a large singing bowl

Gong Bath

Experience sound frequency healing while sitting in front of a large gong

*IMPORTANT: This is a family friendly, alcohol free, smoke free event.
WHAT TO BRING: Bring your own chair, reclining lawn chair, blankets, pillows, or mats for your comfort. Bring a flashlight, dress for the weather, and wear sturdy walking shoes. Bring something to protect yourself from any mosquitoes or other biting insects as they may become more active after sunset. Bring your favorite crystal to charge it up with all this high vibe energy – and don’t forget to take it home again! Bring your printed ticket with you for admission! If paying at the door, bring $30 in CASH; correct change please. Plus, bring extra cash if you wish to do the Chakra Grounding and/or Gong Bath, they are $5 each. Come early if you want to stop in the Kinstone Gift Shop before the show. Note: it gets chilly at night sometimes, so it is recommended that you dress in layers and bring a blanket!
Refund Policy: There are no refunds. If you sign up and then determine you cannot attend; you may offer your ticket to another individual if you wish. In case the event is cancelled due to rain on both its originally scheduled date AND its published rain date, we will refund your ticket, otherwise, there are NO REFUNDS. Watch this webpage and/or the corresponding event page on Facebook for updates on schedule changes and cancellations due to weather. We will post schedule changes and/or cancellation notifications no earlier than 4 hours and no later than 1 hour before the scheduled start time of the event.

Photo credit: All photos on this page are by Kristine Beck

Monthly Community Healing Ritual - September
2026-09-26 16:00 - 19:00
Join us for monthly community healing rituals on fourth Saturdays – June 27 thru Oct 24.

“Ritual is called for because our soul communicates things to us
that the body translates as need, or want, or absence.
So we enter into ritual in order to respond to the call of the soul.”
― Malidoma Patrice Somé, Ritual: Power, Healing and Community

Join us for this monthly community healing ritual led by Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome.
During these events, we will come together and create a ritual that emerges from the rhythm of all who are gathered, their current needs, and the guidance and support of the elemental beings of the fire (ancestors), water, earth, nature, and mineral.
What gets created in group ritual arises out of the participants voices. Together, we will create something NEW based on the relationships each participant carries with them into our circle from their own inner wisdom that may or may not be already known.
This event is highly participatory. You are asked to arrive with an open heart and mind and a willingness to learn from the Elements themselves, as well as willingness to support your fellow participants. Alcohol and drug use are not allowed during these events.

Cost: These rituals are donation based + the entrance fee to Kinstone ($10). Our hope is to keep these accessible to any who are feeling the call to community and nature-based healing. If the cost of entrance to Kinstone is prohibitive, please reach out, we have a scholarship fund for those in need.
No pre-registration is required; just show up with your Kinstone admission (pay in the Visitor Center before the event or check in at the Visitor Center if you have paid in advance or have your season pass) and bring a free-will donation for Erica (cash is appreciated and will be collected by Erica during the event). Note that Erica shares all donations with her elders to aid in the continuation of their work.

Date: September 26
Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
If you’d like to learn more about the language of ritual, join us in the parking area at 2pm before each event to help with set up, planning and to begin learning the Language of Ritual.
Kinstone Location: The Dolmen
Theme and Element: Tending the Ancestral (FIRE)

This is a monthly series; all the dates, locations and themes in the series are listed here:

June 27 | The Pond | Shape Shifting (WATER)
July 25 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Burial and Re-bEarth (EARTH)
August 22 | The Great Stone Circle | Wisdom in Our Bones (MINERAL)
September 26 | The Dolmen | Tending the Ancestral (FIRE)
October 24 | The Three Witnesses | Return to Authenticity (NATURE)

About the leader:
Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC, is a licensed professional counselor in private practice Winona, MN. Erica has taught mindfulness meditation in diverse settings such as universities, corporate environments, and local organizations. She uses creative and empowering methods to evoke client-centered transformation and provide individuals, couples, and families with tools to take and use over their lifetime. Some of the methods she uses are group and community ritual facilitation, somatic and body-centered therapy, focusing, spiritual re-wilding, earth and nature-based therapy, and Indigenous African technologies. Ritual is at the core of all that she offers.
Erica’s awareness and knowledge of ritual and her relationships with the Elements have been inspired and encouraged by her teachers, Dagara Elder Malidoma Somé and Elder Theresa Sykes Brittany. Read more about Erica at her website https://ericathibodeaux.com/.

June 27 | Dolmen | Fire (Ancestors)
July 18 | Pond | Water
August 15 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Earth
September 19 | The Three Witnesses sculpture | Nature (Authenticity)
October 17 | Great Stone Circle | Mineral

Ribbons of Intention Fire Ceremony
2026-10-03 12:00 - 13:30
Join us as we release into the fire the intentions on the Ribbons on the Tree of Intention in the Chapel of Creation. This year, we will hold this event on October 3rd instead of the traditional October 4 due to a scheduling conflict with our Annual Autumn Open House event which occurs on Oct 4 this year (first Sunday of October).

October 4 is the date designated as The Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi. Traditionally, on this date each year we remove the ribbons that are tied to the Tree of Intention in the Kinstone Chapel of Creation and burn them in a sacred fire in the Stargazer Circle, releasing the intentions written there, to God or the Universe, to be fuel for their manifestation. This special event is marked by a brief ceremony. This year we will celebrate on October 3rd instead!
Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: Noon – 1:30pm

Cost: included in admission to Kinstone ($10/person); please arrive early enough to pay in person in the Visitor Center prior to the event start time.
No registration required.

On this day, the inscribed ribbons are removed from the Tree of Intention. We gather at the Chapel of Creation and call down peace for the world and for ourselves as we stand around the newly empty tree. We place a single red ribbon upon the tree as a symbol of world peace. All present are invited to add ribbons of intention to the tree. These intentions will be held in reverence here for a full cycle of seasons until the following October.
We then proceed to the Stargazer Circle where we create a sacred space for this ceremony around the fire. We speak of Saint Francis and the significance of his story and how it relates to the Kinstone story. We read stories about him and hear prayers that are attributed to him. We state our purpose in burning the ribbons; we profess our willingness to release attachment to the outcome and express profound gratitude that our needs will be provided for in creative and sometimes unexpected ways. The ribbons are then put into the fire. As they burn, all the prayers and intentions are released. We end with a prayer of thanksgiving.
No registration is required.

Why this day, the Feast Day of Saint Francis?
The Chapel of Creation is a building created with many beautiful images of our Earth artistically displayed in the walls. The artwork was inspired by The Canticle of Creation also known as The Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon, a poem written by St. Francis of Assisi in the 1200’s. He is the patron saint of animals and ecologists due to his overwhelming love of the natural world. He believed that nature itself was the mirror of God. He called all creatures and natural wonders his “brothers” and “sisters”, or his “kin”. In this way, Francis has become the patron saint of Kinstone. To honor his life and remember his living example of love of creation, service to humanity, and selfless devotion to God, we perform this ceremony on his feast day.

Photo credit: Kristine Beck, Ribbons of Intention Fire Ceremony 2025

Kinstone Autumn Open House
2026-10-04 12:00 - 17:00
Join us for this free event at Kinstone. Enjoy great music, fabulous food, self-guided tours and good times as we celebrate Kinstone and the autumn season with all of you. You may even find opportunities for a tarot or other card reading! Find detailed directions here: DIRECTIONS TO KINSTONE.
The labyrinth, chapel, stone circle, dolmen, yurt, sauna and other features will be open and available for exploration throughout the day. See standing stones, prairie, food gardens, three goats, cats (tour guides in training), cob oven, light straw-clay cabin, rocket mass heater, thatched cordwood chapel, cordwood sauna, yurt and more!
Artists are welcome to come out to draw or paint en plein air during this event. If you see an artist at work feel free to stop, observe and talk with them about what they are creating!
DATE: Sunday, October 4, 2026
TIME: Noon to 5pm
COST: This is a FREE event. Admission is free between Noon and 5pm on this day.
Donations are appreciated and can be placed in a special donation jar in the Visitor Center / Gift Shop. THANK YOU!

General Schedule for the day:
Noon-5pm ~ Tansy’s Traveling Kitchen FOOD TRUCK (menu tba)12:00-3:00pm ~ LIVE – Music by THE BUS BOYS on the Visitor Center porch2:30-3:15pm ~ Talk with Kristine Beck – Stories of the Stonespossible other featured events – check back here on this website as we get closer to the event!
Homemade Cookies as well as Coffee, Tea, Hot Cocoa, Sparkling Water, and Soft Drinks will be available for purchase in the Kinstone Visitor Center as well.
The Kinstone Gift Shop will be Open! Find Kinstone merch, unique gifts, and works by local artists! Stock up on our honey and fresh Kinstone jams and jellies. Our sweatshirts have a new dragon design on the back and the dragon t-shirts have a new look. Find rocks and crystals, handmade dragon hatchlings, prayer flags, fabric baskets, local pottery, and more.
This event shall be held RAIN OR SHINE. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes. It always seems to be breezy up here on the ridge. Bring an umbrella, jacket, raincoat, hat, scarf, and even gloves, etc, if it turns out to be chilly or wet! Questions? CONTACT US.
NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED. JUST COME ON OVER AND ENJOY!

2026 Portage for a Purpose 5K Walk
2026-10-10 10:00 - 13:00
Join us for this unique, mostly uphill 5k event that carries a powerful message and raises awareness about mental illness and suicide.
Intrepid souls will walk and some will carry canoes as they journey together from Hwy 35 up County Road M to Kinstone,commemorating the last few miles of the original 313-mile Portage for a Purpose journey made by Evan Hansen in 2021. Evan will lead the way as he portages the original canoe and brings it again to rest in the center of the Great Stone Circle on the stone known as “Eternity”. The uphill path and burden of a canoe symbolize the burdens we all carry in life. Will you walk with him? No need to carry a canoe – unless you want to – join us on this walk to raise awareness about mental illness and suicide.
After the walk, join us for a special fire ceremony at the Stargazer Circle, where messages will be offered and, conditions permitting, ceremoniously burned.You may write messages to loved ones and share stories. Refreshments will be available inside the Kinstone Visitor Center. Feel free to bring flowers or natural offerings to place at the Eternity Stone which will be as a symbolic grave for all those lost to suicide.
Date: Saturday, October 10th
Time: 10:00am
Fee: $10/person. (NOTE: this fee covers your participation as well as entrance into Kinstone for the day; 100% of this fee is donated to NAMI SE MN)
REGISTRATION LOCATION: Kinstone Visitor Center, S3439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, WI, 54629 – pay and register at Kinstone, starting as early as 9:00am; all walkers will be shuttled to starting location (no pre-registration required); the last shuttle will leave Kinstone no later than 10am.
WALK Starting Location: Bluff Siding Road near the intersection of WI HWY 35 and County Road M, Fountain City, WI.
WALK Ending Location: Kinstone, in the center of the Great Stone Circle at the “Eternity” stone. (Address: S3439 Cole Bluff Lane, Fountain City, WI)
If you are not walking or carrying a canoe, but you wish to attend to support others and to participate in the fire ceremony or just wander Kinstone, just come directly to Kinstone! You will still need to pay admission upon arrival.
100% of ALL admissions to Kinstone on this day will be donated to NAMI SE MN.
Don’t miss Evan Hansen’s book, “Into the Wind,” available at the Kinstone Gift Shop. Your support means the world.
Historical Perspective on Portage For A Purpose
In 2021, Evan Hansen portaged a canoe over 300 miles across the state of Minnesota to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. He called his journey “Portage for a Purpose”. Along the way, he collected names and stories of people with loved ones who died due to suicide. Those names were written on the canoe. He ended that portage/walk in the center of Kinstone’s own Great Stone Circle at the stone known at “Eternity”. Throughout this project he raised over $50,000 for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI SE MN).
In 2022, he commemorated the anniversary of that effort with a public 5k portage / walk that traced the last five kilometers of his original journey – a mostly uphill trek. Now, in conjunction with Kinstone, Evan will host this Portage for a Purpose 5k Event again! Last year (2022) we had over 20 walkers and 2 portagers. We expect many more participants this year and definitely more people carrying canoes in this unique 5k event! Will you be one of them?
Together, Kinstone and Evan Hansen offer this event as a force for good; it is one way we can provide a positive impact and support for those who may be struggling with mental illness.
Evan Hansen wrote a book called “Into the Wind” about his experiences on his 313 mile portage in 2021. This book is available for sale in the Kinstone Gift Shop. It is a compelling and relevant read. Get your copy here!

“Anything you do from the soulful self will help lighten the burdens of the world. Anything. You have no idea what the smallest word, the tiniest generosity, can cause to be set in motion…Mend the part of the world that is within your reach.” ~Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Visit Evan Hansen’s facebook page, Portage for a Purpose, for more information about him and his mission.

Monthly Community Healing Ritual - October
2026-10-24 16:00 - 19:00
Join us for monthly community healing rituals on fourth Saturdays – June 27 thru Oct 24.

“Ritual is called for because our soul communicates things to us
that the body translates as need, or want, or absence.
So we enter into ritual in order to respond to the call of the soul.”
― Malidoma Patrice Somé, Ritual: Power, Healing and Community

Join us for this monthly community healing ritual led by Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC. No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome.
During these events, we will come together and create a ritual that emerges from the rhythm of all who are gathered, their current needs, and the guidance and support of the elemental beings of the fire (ancestors), water, earth, nature, and mineral.
What gets created in group ritual arises out of the participants voices. Together, we will create something NEW based on the relationships each participant carries with them into our circle from their own inner wisdom that may or may not be already known.
This event is highly participatory. You are asked to arrive with an open heart and mind and a willingness to learn from the Elements themselves, as well as willingness to support your fellow participants. Alcohol and drug use are not allowed during these events.

Cost: These rituals are donation based + the entrance fee to Kinstone ($10). Our hope is to keep these accessible to any who are feeling the call to community and nature-based healing. If the cost of entrance to Kinstone is prohibitive, please reach out, we have a scholarship fund for those in need.
No pre-registration is required; just show up with your Kinstone admission (pay in the Visitor Center before the event or check in at the Visitor Center if you have paid in advance or have your season pass) and bring a free-will donation for Erica (cash is appreciated and will be collected by Erica during the event). Note that Erica shares all donations with her elders to aid in the continuation of their work.

Date: October 24
Time: 4:00pm to 7:00pm
If you’d like to learn more about the language of ritual, join us in the parking area at 2pm before each event to help with set up, planning and to begin learning the Language of Ritual.
Kinstone Location: The Three Witnesses
Theme and Element: Return to Authenticity (NATURE)

This is a monthly series; all the dates, locations and themes in the series are listed here:

June 27 | The Pond | Shape Shifting (WATER)
July 25 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Burial and Re-bEarth (EARTH)
August 22 | The Great Stone Circle | Wisdom in Our Bones (MINERAL)
September 26 | The Dolmen | Tending the Ancestral (FIRE)
October 24 | The Three Witnesses | Return to Authenticity (NATURE)

About the leader:
Erica Thibodeaux, MS, LPCC, is a licensed professional counselor in private practice Winona, MN. Erica has taught mindfulness meditation in diverse settings such as universities, corporate environments, and local organizations. She uses creative and empowering methods to evoke client-centered transformation and provide individuals, couples, and families with tools to take and use over their lifetime. Some of the methods she uses are group and community ritual facilitation, somatic and body-centered therapy, focusing, spiritual re-wilding, earth and nature-based therapy, and Indigenous African technologies. Ritual is at the core of all that she offers.
Erica’s awareness and knowledge of ritual and her relationships with the Elements have been inspired and encouraged by her teachers, Dagara Elder Malidoma Somé and Elder Theresa Sykes Brittany. Read more about Erica at her website https://ericathibodeaux.com/.

June 27 | Dolmen | Fire (Ancestors)
July 18 | Pond | Water
August 15 | Under the Pines by the Yurt | Earth
September 19 | The Three Witnesses sculpture | Nature (Authenticity)
October 17 | Great Stone Circle | Mineral

Winter Solstice Sunrise Observance
2026-12-21 06:45 - 08:15
Come acknowledge the Winter Solstice by watching the sunrise alignment in the Great Stone Circle. This will be a quiet, meditative event with a short opening rite and reading to help us welcome Winter and send Autumn on its way with blessings. Join us to celebrate as Autumn passes the seasonal “baton” to Winter.
COST: admission to Kinstone (pay in person at the Kinstone Visitor Center upon arrival, cash preferred); No Registration Required
Date: Monday, December 21, 2026
Time: 6:45am – 8:15am; coffee and tea available in the Visitor Center after the program; the Visitor Center will be open until Noon.
WHAT TO BRING: feel free to bring a poem or quote about winter, winter solstice, snow, or other winter theme to share
IMPORTANT: We will gather at 6:45am in the Kinstone Visitor Center. Please arrive early to be ready to start at 6:45. Thank you.
After the short program, weather and snow conditions permitting, we will proceed together to the center of the Great Stone Circle. Given fair weather and clear skies, we will watch the sun as it crests the ridge and beams through the Chair Stones into the center of the Circle.
Note: Actual sunrise is at 7:38am and given the topography at Kinstone it will be closer to 7:50am when we can see the sun from the center of the circle on a clear day.
Dress in layers! We will be indoors for part of this and then those who wish to will proceed outdoors later. Bring what winter gear you need for the weather and wear appropriate footwear, boots, scarves, hats, extra layers and gloves. Expect it to be colder and windier than you think. In snowy years, be prepared to walk some distance through snow and on uneven (perhaps icy – or muddy, slippery) paths to get to the circle.
Parking may be very limited if there is snow on the ground. Please follow these instructions! If there is no snow, please park in the grassy parking area near the Visitor Center. If there is snow, please park in the small staff lot adjacent to the the Visitor Center which is the only lot we keep plowed in winter. If this is the case, please park as closely to others as possible to make enough room for all. Note: we highly discourage parking along the road, however; if you absolutely must park along the road please make sure you pull as far off the roadway as possible, put on your 4-way flashing lights while parked there for this short event and do not park in front of any neighbors’ property or driveways. We will have a person outside helping direct parking – look for them and follow their instructions! Thank you!
Portions of this event are planned to be held outdoors. The whole event will be cancelled in case of snow storm or bad weather. Please note that we will not see the alignment if it is cloudy or if the horizon is obstructed by morning mist, fog, rain, snow or clouds. If it is raining or snowing heavily we will cancel. Cancellations will be posted on this event page and on the corresponding Facebook event page as soon as we can reasonably decide based on weather reports – but at least 1 hour before the scheduled start time for this event.
Interesting fact: The exact time of the astronomical Winter Solstice this year is Monday, December 21, 2026 at 2:50pm CST.
(Photo credit: Kristine Beck, Winter Solstice Sunrise Observance, December 2026)
