A calmer love-in

This article is a review of another love-in that took place on Mount Royal on May 7, 1967. This one ran more smoothly than the other eventful ones that same summer.

Transcription:

Local news

Love-in gets cool reception
By Steve Hendler

The love-in has become respectable –and commercial.

The “Human-In” held Sunday afternoon and evening at Fletcher’s Field was a far cry from the original love-in held on that spot last spring. This time all was quiet, in contrast to the first hippie gathering, when a squad of mounted policemen charged through the crowd and broke it up, arresting 17 persons in the process.

Although the police were on hand Sunday to keep an eye on proceedings, they remained on the sidelines and were inconspicuous. No trouble was reported. In fact, not only was the atmosphere different, the whole crowd and tone of the event had changed.

In contrast to the word-of-mouth publicity that preceded the original love-in, this show enjoyed massive promotion by the local radio stations.

Last time, a small group of slightly self-conscious hippies gathered to strum their guitars, burn incense, hand out flowers and generally talk quietly to each other.

Sunday’s affair was a professional public show at which the “squares” greatly outnumbered the hippies. Several professional musical groups, complete with microphones and electric amplifiers, performed from the park bandshell.

Oh, there were a few hippies, all right. Such as the fellow with the psychedelically-painted face who was busy decorating the face of his girl, who was lying in his lap, in a similar fashion. Or the small groups wearing army surplus and oriental-style clothes, baubles, bangles and beads, and long hair, who were dancing to the music.

But the great majority were young couples who had come to sit together on the grass and listen passively to the free show. Or curious passerby, adults and family groups, who had dropped in to find out what was going on and had stayed to watch.

In fact, very few of the hundreds in attendance actually participated in the love-in. This was not obvious when the leader of one of the musical groups tried to get the crowd to clap hands to the music without notable success.

“I love all of you and I want you to love me. This is a love-in! You can demonstrate your love by clapping hands to the music. (Long pause while the music resumes) … Please clap your hands. C’mon, this is a love in…”

(image caption)

An exponent of loving-in: Eyes closed, forehead adorned, lost in his music, he’s enjoying Sunday’s love-in.