LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Dates have been announced for the second annual Hands Around Clear Lake Tribal Gathering and Healing Ceremony, a yearly event that unites Lake County citizens and neighbors around a common intention of blessing and healing Clear Lake and our community.

The event will take place the night of Friday, Sept. 21, and the morning of Saturday, Sept. 22, which is also the 2012 Autumnal Equinox.

The location is Shi-Kom Pomo Village, a beautiful field right on the shore of Clear Lake in Nice, CA, close to the Sentry Market.

Take Nice-Lucerne Cutoff Rd. to Lakeshore Blvd. and look for the signs. In the Pomo language, “Shi-Kom” means “the gathering place.”

The Friday night “Concert & Campout on Clear Lake” will feature a ceremonial fire, a huge drum circle, dancing, storytelling, and live performances by several in-demand Lake County musical acts, including Blue Collar, Without a Net, Righteous Vibrations, The Possible Futures, and Lucas Prana & the Gypsy Vayus. The concert is free and begins at 6 p.m.

The gathering will last all night, and free camping is available. Families and pets are welcome. There will be a potluck dinner, and guests are encouraged to bring drinking water, as well as reusable dishes to make this a green event.

Saturday morning there will be a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. to bless Clear Lake and to heal the water, the land, and our people.

The ceremony will include blessings by indigenous elders, shamans, spiritual leaders and healers from all around the region, and will be broadcast live on KPFZ 88.1 FM, Lake County Community Radio.

Those unable to attend the ceremony in person are encouraged to gather privately on the shore of the lake wherever possible to share in this healing event. The radio broadcast will go from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and will be streaming online at www.kpfz.org .

The sunrise ceremony will be followed by a partially catered potluck breakfast and a morning of fun activities on the shore, including swimming, drumming, more live music and art projects for the whole family.

Hands Around Clear Lake is a free event. All donations will benefit the event’s sponsors, Transition Lake County, Thrive Lake County, the Lucy Moore Foundation and KPFZ Lake County Community Radio.

More information about the event is available at www.handsaroundclearlake.com , on Facebook or by calling 707-279-1989.

Then, on Saturday afternoon, the party moves to “the Inn” in Upper Lake (located at 682 First St.) for a Transition Lake County Potluck with a Purpose at 3 p.m., followed by a celebration of the Autumnal Equinox at 5 p.m.

Citizens are invited to gather for networking and sharing with local community leaders working together to co-create a healthier, happier, more resilient Lake County, and to share in a celebration of the beginning of fall.

The potluck will be followed by an evening of drumming and celebration in community.

More information about the afternoon festivities can be found at www.transitionlakecounty.org or by calling 707-279-1989.