With all the hoopla about to splash forth surrounding the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Aquarian Festival of Music and Arts, from books and concert events on the actual location in Bethel to alternative goings-on seeking to reclaim the Hippie Nation mantle or bring into focus other important elements of that fateful Summer of '69, one question looms ever larger: How is the actual community of Woodstock, which has had to live within the mistaken shadow of the Festival put on in its name, reacting to all the hype - as well as its own history that, like it or not, remains intrinsically tied in with that of the Festival?

One answer starts to reveal itself in a classically Woodstock fashion this Saturday, July 25, when the latest group exhibition at the Woodstock Artists' Association & Museum opens with an afternoon artist's reception. But there will also be '60s-style psychedelicized live music in the 90-year-old institution's garden by the creek, with the tribal fusion band Mystic Ritual accompanied by the Centrifugal Force Hoop Dancers. Given that the title of the new show is "Energy, Spirit & Vision," and its theme a looking-back at the famed Festival and times 40 years ago, and a certain level and style of fun seem all but unavoidable. Add in that just up the street all day, the annual Woodstock Library Fair will be underway with more live music and kids' fun - a must-visit community event of nearly 80 years' duration now - and it's hard to pass on a visit to town this weekend.

For those looking beyond the past 40 years and all that "garden" stuff that Joni Mitchell once wrote and sang about, there will also be a look back at just why Woodstock has had to wear this alternative mantle for years - in the form of the first of a series of 90th-anniversary looks back at the town's arts heritage, in the form of its museum wing's current "In the Beginning: The First Decade of the WAA" exhibition. For details about all of this, go to www.woodstockart.org or call (845) 679-2940. The Woodstock Artists' Association & Museum is located at 28 Tinker Street in the heart of Woodstock.

For more on other events in the town this Saturday, contact www.woodstockchamberofcommerce.com.