<P> In his 2007 book Taking Woodstock, Elliot Tiber relates that he offered to host the event on his 15 acres (6.1 ha) motel grounds, and had a permit for such an event . He claims to have introduced the promoters to dairy farmer Max Yasgur . Lang, however, disputes Tiber's account and says that Tiber introduced him to a realtor, who drove him to Yasgur's farm without Tiber . Sam Yasgur, Max's son, agrees with Lang's account . Yasgur's land formed a natural bowl sloping down to Filippini Pond on the land's north side . The stage would be set up at the bottom of the hill with Filippini Pond forming a backdrop . The pond would become a popular skinny dipping destination . </P> <P> The organizers once again told Bethel authorities they expected no more than 50,000 people . </P> <P> Despite resident opposition and signs proclaiming, "Buy No Milk . Stop Max's Hippy Music Festival", Bethel Town Attorney Frederick W.V. Schadt and building inspector Donald Clark approved the permits, but the Bethel Town Board refused to issue them formally . Clark was ordered to post stop - work orders . </P> <P> The late change in venue did not give the festival organizers enough time to prepare . At a meeting three days before the event, organizers felt they had two options: one was to complete the fencing and ticket booths, without which the promoters would lose any profit or go into debt; the other option involved putting their remaining available resources into building the stage, without which the promoters feared they would have a disappointed and disgruntled audience . When the audience began arriving by the tens of thousands the next day, the Wednesday before the weekend, the decision was made for them . Those without tickets simply walked through gaps in the fences, and the organizers were forced to make the event free of charge . Though the festival left its promoters nearly bankrupt, their ownership of the film and recording rights more than compensated for the losses after the release of the hit documentary film in 1970 . </P>

Which was the significance of woodstock in 1969