Bobbi and Nick Ercoline are often recognized as the couple from the iconic cover photo on the Woodstock album. While Bethel Woods celebrates the 50th anniversary of the greatest festival of all time, this happy couple is celebrating their 50th year together and their 4th year as volunteers at Bethel Woods.
The Ercolines attended the Woodstock festival in 1969 together after dating for three months. For Bobbi, the highlight of her experience was the crowd itself. “It was the sights, the smells, the sensations, and all the little scenarios going on around us,” she said.
Nick agreed with Bobbi’s sentiments, but also noted that seeing their photo on the album cover after the festival was (of course) another highlight.
It wasn’t until the 20th anniversary celebration that the Ercolines were identified as the couple in the photo when Life Magazine published a story on them and their family. They said they did not let their recognition run their lives, but it has definitely enhanced it. Since this past November, the couple has received well over 1200 interview requests.
Bobbi and Nick started volunteering at Bethel Woods four years ago after they were asked to run some artist tours of the historic site.
“From there, we really got netted into Bethel Woods. We truly believe in the mission statement and what they stand for and we’re 100 percent behind them,” Bobbi said. They agreed that their favorite part of volunteering at Bethel Woods is meeting new people and educating the community about the historic events that happened here.
“We need to keep the [Woodstock] message strong, and the only way to do that is through Bethel Woods’ mission statement and to make sure that the generations that follow us understand what happened here, and continue on the same path,” Nick said.
Bobbi said she feels everyone enjoys the picture of the couple in 1969 because they are still together today. She said throughout their 50 years together, as one would grow faster than the other, that person would wait for the other to catch up, and today they are completely in sync with each other.
“I feel very fortunate to be a little part of the whole Woodstock experience, and I can’t imagine a better experience to share with the person you’ve loved for 50 years,” Bobbi said.
Nick smiled at Bobbi, and concluded he couldn’t top her response.
Photo and interview done by Bethel Woods Marketing Intern, Lindsey Toomer.