They say time flies when you’re having fun. One minute we were turning 30 and setting up a new teepee company – we blinked and a decade has gone by!!
Some may remember Dan’s YouTube videos during lockdown where he travelled the world, virtually, from our dining room, catching up with bartenders across the globe. He also ran a virtual festival called Around the World in 80 Drinks. So, when the world finally got back to normal, his dream was to recreate that festival – in person!
In the midst of high season 2024 we managed to take a weekend out to celebrate Dan turning 40. To call it a party would be an understatement – he threw himself a mini festival - which actually turned out to be pretty epic!
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We were introduced to Richard and Lesley at Draughton Heights Campsite in summer 2023, whilst ground works were still well underway. From the first visit we were sure there was something incredibly special about the place and knew there and then we wanted it to be the setting for Dan’s big celebrations.
The views alone are completely jaw dropping, then there’s the insane transformation that has taken place from empty, moortop field to a panoramic venue of dreams (complete with three lakes, glamping pods and Yorkshire stone amenities block)! Richard and Lesley are so accommodating and their attitude towards having 200 of our family and friends rock up at their newly opened venue was totally inspiring. They’ve clearly poured a LOT into creating Draughton Heights so to welcome such an event with open arms, we found totally admirable.
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Fast forward a year to June 2024 and our Bar Events convoy wound it’s way down the track to Draughton Heights, ready to build a birthday festival village fit for a king!
A double giant teepee housed an American themed bar, fire pit and seating area. It also offered some welcome shelter for the uncharacteristically windy June weekend we were gifted! A third giant teepee stood alone and became ‘The Globe’ tent which saw demos and tastings take place over the weekend from the likes of Luke Raven at Ilkley Brewery, Dan Sammons of LWC Yorkshire, superstar mixologist Cameron Beswick and our very own wine expert Trevor Lakin (Dan learned from the best!).
The kids were kept entertained with inflatables and giant games, those less fond of camping could book the venue's glamping pods or bell tents (courtesy of North Sky Yurts) and the ever reliable Mike at YSS supplied power, staging, sound and lighting for the weekend.
As the Friday afternoon hit, vehicle after vehicle of our favourite people on the planet began to arrive for the weekend, ready to celebrate (family, friends, suppliers and customers past and present). Suddenly the months of planning and hard work that Dan had put in became beyond worth it! The bar was packed, kids made s’mores on the fire pit and slapped glitter on each others’ faces. Spirits were high and the opportunity to dance in a field for three days straight, come rain or shine, was nothing short of therapy!
Never one to keep it low key Dan bagged some pretty big headliners and secured a three day line-up of amazing bands and DJs. We’d met Tim from Utah Saints previously at a more low key gig and were blown away by how down to earth he was. We had the ‘full’ Utah Saints experience on the Friday night when Tim and Jez played a mind blowing set as we raved in the rain! They even let Dan go back to back with them on the decks at the end of their set – life made! (Shout out to Michael Spriggs for organising that.)
Saturday’s headliner was Paul from K-Klass who blew the metaphorical roof off and made our hangovers seem like a distant memory. It was incredible to spot his social post a few days later, proving he’d also felt the magic that we all experienced that weekend…
“I was back on the road heading to a private party at near Draughton Heights Campsite, Skipton, North Yorkshire. All I knew in advance was it was a private party for the 40th birthday party of the owner. I had absolutely no idea what to expect.
As I approached the what3words location the roads on the map disappeared and I ended up driving the last half mile on a dirt track. As I reached the last quarter of a mile on the summit of a Yorkshire dales mountain, I caught sight of the venue nestling in a valley next to some small lakes. It comprised of a series of Teepees, a main stage and a small stone building. It was without doubt the most remote and spectacular location I’ve ever played in the UK.
The sun was already set as I took to the stage for my 10.30pm set time. The view looking north from the stage was truly stunning. Despite the rapidly falling temperatures and the onset of rain the party goers (around 200 of them) created an incredible atmosphere, reminiscent of the illegal outdoor raves of the late 80’s/early 90’s. The location was so remote that there was absolutely no problem with sound and the powerful sound system filled the night air. By the end of the set many of the party goers joined me on stage to shelter from the weather.
It was without doubt another special event that will live long in the memory." Paul, K-Klass
Just wow! In the weeks following the festival we’ve cried with laughter and welled up with emotion over moments and memories made that weekend. It will honestly live with us forever. Dan’s lust, not only for events, but for life in general seeped out of every aspect of that weekend and to share that with so many people we care about was genuinely magical!
Special thanks to…
Richard and Lesley at Draughton Heights for their amazing hospitality and for creating such a unique and beautiful venue.
Our INCREDIBLE Bar Events team who went way above and beyond that weekend ensuring Dan had nothing to worry about and everything ran smoothly.
Becca & Charlotte at North Sky Yurts for setting up a glamping village in some very questionable weather.
Mike at YSS who lived on site for the weekend, managing the stage.
Luke at Ilkley Brewery for his ongoing support and awesome beers
Richard at Premier Cru Fine Wines for his support over the weekend (and over the years!)
All the bands and DJs for bringing the party and keeping us dancing in a field throughout the four seasons of a weekend in Yorkshire in June?!
Our friends and family that stepped up and served food, worked the bar, cleaned the loos without batting an eyelid.
ALL our guests across the weekend. It meant the world to Dan to have you there. Hope the memories live on for a long time!
We LOVE what we do. If we can help with your event or celebration in any way then get in touch!