Skamokawa, WA • Sept 11-14, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
asked frequently. answered honestly. mostly.
What actually is Barnivàle?
Barnivàle is a small, intimate micro-festival held at Elkenmist in Skamokawa, WA — four days of camping, workshops, and whimsy from September 11–14, 2026. This year's theme is the Skill Share Weekend: every camper is invited to teach something, learn everything, and leave slightly changed. It really happened in 2025 and it is really happening again. We took photos to prove it.
Do I have to teach a workshop?
No — you can just attend, tear tabs off flyers, and absorb. But you're warmly encouraged to bring something. A skill, half a skill, a story your grandma swears is true. Nobody is qualified and that is the entire point. If you have an idea, post it on the flyer wall or send it to us from the contact page and we'll help you make that a workshop.
Where do I sleep?
You camp! Bring a tent, a sleeping bag, and whatever makes you feel like a person in the morning. If you don't have those things or can't travel with them, we can probably loan you something. Contact us. It's mid-September, so pack warm layers and something rainproof — the weather is part of the curriculum.
What should I bring?
Camping gear, warm layers, sturdy shoes, a water bottle, and any supplies your workshop needs. Costumes, instruments, and general whimsy are enthusiastically welcomed. A journal is recommended for the School of Unknowable Things. Hammers are provided where hammers are needed.
How do tickets work?
Tickets are limited to keep the festival intimate (and to respect the structural tolerance of the barn). Early bird pricing runs until July 31st — after that, regular pricing until we sell out.
We really don't want to be told the tickets are too expensive, because there are a lot of costs to put on an event like this. But we may be willing to accept bartering, trading, and poetry-in-lieu-of-fiat requests. Anyway, for the love of barns, if you can afford a ticket, just buy one from the big green button on the home page or CLICK HERE.
Question not covered here? The barn accepts all inquiries.