update Sept 1, 2026
Greetings Yeeee Heartlanders!
– A message from the HEHO Castle Crew –
The 3rd Heartland Handpan Hangout is around the corner, and we are stoked to join forces in the Midwest for a weekend gathering! Connecting with old friends & making some new ones at this year’s HeHo is a pretty rad dream come true! Thanks for being a part of it!
Below, loads of important details that will help support our weekend together! This is a living document, so we’ve noted the last update, date at the top of the page. Much love & see ya soon. If for some reason we’re detained by castle work and moat digging, feel free to email us directly at – ConnectWithTheHeartland@gmail.com.
See ya soon fellow Heartlanders!
PS: Upon arrival, leave your trolly bits behind!
Learn About:
Whats’App-ening at The Heartland?
Looking for a ride share?
Got weekend photos/videos to share?
Curious about the schedule?
Want to share that cool thing you learned during a workshop?
Lost something?
Join our WhatsApp weekend village, a portal to streamline info sharing related to the gathering. This will be the most direct place to connect in prep for the festivities & during the weekend!!!
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« Arrival Details »
Address • Parking • Arrival/Departure • Rideshare
ADDRESS
Stronghold Castle is located at:
1922 IL Rt 2 N Oregon, Illinois
PARKING
Entering the Stronghold Castle & Retreat Center (at the bottom of a hill, opposite the Rock River). At the top of the hill, just past the first few buildings there will be an open field on the right, with a little hut.
Check-in –AND– weekend parking is here.
There will be signage to guide the way. First time at Heartland? We recommend earlier arrival if ya can to navigating the castle & the grounds. It’s a thing!
We got’chu…Help is available for carrying bags to castle’s upper floors.
HEHO • ARRIVAL
Thursday, Sept 17th
3:00–6PM: Castle Doors Open for Full Weekend Heartlanders
Arrival, check-in, unpack, set up tents, hang out & get a lay of the land
Dinner on Thursday is on your own. Please bring food with you or plan to run out to a local eatery.
5:30–6:30PM: Master Series: Opening Session (Pavilion)
7:00–7:30PM: Opening Circle, Welcome & Logistics (mandatory)
Here Yeeee Hear Yeeee!! Our first order of business is a fond hello, and walking through the weekend & Castle logistics.7:30–9:30PM: Open Mic & Handpan Giveaway
HEHO • DEPARTURE
Sunday, Sept 20th
8–9AM: Breakfast @ Brubaker
11:30AM – Jam Sessions & Lingering Good-Byes
12–1PM – Lunch “Leftover Grazing”
Any leftovers from our Friday & Saturday dinner feasts will become a potluck-style-shareable-graze-at-your-own-pace. (And do your own dishes!!)1:30PM – Castle Doors Close!! (for real)
We don’t like good-byes, so we’ll say “till next time” instead!!
HEHO • DAY PASSES
Friday/Saturday
8–9AM: 9AM: Day Pass Heartlanders: Check-in @ Brubaker Center
First building at the top of the hill. Lunch & Dinner included.9PM: Castle Doors Close
Day-Pass activities conclude after evening performances
(Friday: Open Mic; Saturday: Concert)
AFTERGLOW • ARRIVAL
Sunday, Sept 20th
2–6PM – FREE TIME, aka: You Do You Boo
Jam time, disc golf, swimming, off-site adventures, get re-settled (if moving rooms), etc
Dinner on your own6:30–9PM – WELCOME, LOGISTICS & OPENING SESSION
AFTER HOURS – Free Time & Fireside Jams
AFTERGLOW • DEPARTURE
Wednesday, Sept 23rd
8–9AM – BREAKFAST(Brubaker)
9–10:30 am: FREE TIME – last jam & packing up
10:30–12:30 pm: Closing Session & Group Photo
12:30–1:30 pm: LUNCH “LEFTOVERS”
1:30PM – AFTERGLOW DOORS CLOSE!
SURVEY SAYS
Feed+Back helps the world go round. Sincerely, we’re grateful to receive any info bites & love nuggets to make the next HeHo even better!! We’ll make sure to send out a follow-up survey to collect thoughts!
Thanks in advance! - HeHo Castle Crew
RIDE SHARE / CARPOOL / HOST
Still sorting out travel details?
If you have space in your vehicle (or home), please consider carpooling or hosting a fellow heartlander. This act of community love decreases our collective footprint and helps us make new friends along the way! There are some Heartlanders in need of rides. Join the WhatsApp Group and post in the ride share forum to connect with fellow travelers.
Travel communications are happening here:
VILLAGE VOLUNTEERS
We have a number of volunteer roles at Heartland Hangout in helping keep the event running smoothly and allowing the organizers to share responsibilities and enjoy the event.
If you're interested in volunteering…
please visit the Volunteer Sign Up google spreadsheet (here) and add your name and phone number to the volunteer slot you would like.
– Thank you for pitching in to make this gathering wonderful –
VILLAGE
Gifts • Giveaways • Prize
Thank you to our Village Collaborators for gifting your time and in-kind donations for this year’s Heartland Hangout!
Gifts
Giveaways
Prizes
We are grateful for our HeHo village collaborations, and for getting to share gifts, giveaways, and raffle prizes at this year’s gathering. With all the excitement, it’s important to clarify the differences.
Gifted Items - Everyone receives these gifts!
Giveaway Items - Full weekend Heartlanders gets a chance to win!
Raffled Items - Tickets are available for purchase for these items. May the odds be forever in your favor ;-) See raffle ticket info below.
– THIS INCLUDES –
Isthmus Instruments Handpan
Neotone Mutant (donated by Shoreline Music)
Tacta Handpan
Heartland Hangout 2027 – GA-Ticket
Master The Handpan Academy & Course
Limited Edition HeHo 3D Printed Floor Stand by Sound Artist
Handpan Chordbook Deck
Rhythm Rest Grip Sets
“I 💛 Handpan” Waist Bags
HeHo Swag
Gongs Unlimited Goodies
Coupon Codes from the Village
And possibly some other stuff too!!
Raffle Tickets
$5 – 1x ticket
$20 – 5x tickets
«–• How It Works •–»
While cash is the wizardly way, we also accept some digital currencies as well. Full weekend & day pass attendees are able to purchase raffle tickets during the weekend, however, the winner MUST BE PRESENT AT SATURDAY’S RAFFLE! No Exceptions!!
1) Select a payment method below
2) Pay as a friend
3) Mention HEHO26 and # of tickets
Zelle: ConnectWithTheHeartland@gmail.com
«• T-SHIRTS •»
Much love to Atomic Cotton, and handpan o’hana Rick Kloog, for printing this year's t-shirts!! Thanks Ricky & friends!!!!! You rock!!! Didn't get one? Want your size guaranteed? We’ve limited this year’s pre-order t-shirt size quantities, and are beginning to sell out! Pre-order pickup is at the gathering!! Otherwise, roll the dice and see if one’s waiting for you!
«• HeHo SWAG •»
Onsite SB-Collective Goodies Include:
“I 💛 Handpan” Waist Bags ($35)
HeHo & Super Bloom T-Shirts ($30)
HeHo & Super Bloom Patches ($5)
Namana Bag – 2026 HeHo Backpack (pre-order $358)
Additional Weekend Offerings
ISTHMUS EXPERIENCE
Floating around the grounds, there will be an Isthmus Instrument multi-handpan setup...but it's up to you to find out where it is for some extended jams!!
MASTER CLASSES
This year we’re hosting a Master Class series for an intimate group of Heartlanders!! Space is limited, and even though registration has closed, there are a few more spots available » HERE!!
ZEN DEN
This year we’ve got a castle spot perfect to tuck away for a little extra relaxation. Kim Williams, builder & Gongs Unlimited representative will have a selection of instruments available for perusing.
HANDPAN RETUNES
We'll have a number of builders onsite this year so make sure to bring any handpans with you that need some sonic lovin's! Retune cost is TBD per builder.
HANDPANS FOR SALE
While we'll have some sweet giveaway, gifts and raffle prizes, it wouldn't be a handpan gathering without handpans (for sale)...and from what we can already tell, there will be handpans from around the world with us this weekend!!
COMMUNITY
comforts
Community in the Castle
The centerpiece of Stronghold is the unique Tudor-style manor house nestled high on the bluffs overlooking the Rock River. It features the Great Hall, which is perfect for gatherings in front of the massive wood fireplace. The castle has 4 floors plus a nice climb up to the tower overlooking the Rock River for miles!
Foodly Business
Full Weekend Meals
Thursday: meals are on your own
Friday & Saturday: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Sunday: Breakfast – Lunch “Leftovers”
Day-Pass Meals
Lunch – Dinner
Afterglow Meals
Sunday: meals are on your own
Monday & Tuesday: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Wed: Breakfast – Lunch “Leftovers”
Full Kitchen Use
The Castle has a full kitchen for use with pots and pans/dishes. There is also a kitchenette for small use. 2 refrigerators, 1 stove & 3 microwaves. The Castle is heated by 3 large boilers to keep it nice and warm. The Castle does not have air conditioning, but we do have fans for each room and multiple for the large Great Hall. There is a beautiful breeze if you open the windows. The Castle is only in use during the main weekend.
The Isthmus Center(6-day stay) includes a snack preparation area, featuring a sink and refrigerator.
The Hickory House(Afterglow only) has a galley kitchen filled with pots and pans/dishes.
The Heritage Lodge (hotel-like accommodations) has meeting rooms with a coffee machine, a microwave, a small refrigerator and small sink. You will need to bring your own coffee supplies for these coffee machines.
COMMUNITY KITCHEN SPACE MEANS
“Leave No Trace Principles”
KEEP IT CLEANER THAN YOU FOUND IT
Label your food!! Sharpies and tape will be available!
Anything left after the weekend will be donated or tossed.
What to Bring
Refillable water bottle
Layers for applicable weather (TBD, check weather report: layers may be needed, rain gear, rubber boots, rain jacket, sweaters, hats, socks, jacket- better to take layers off than be cold)
Swimsuit … we’ve been assured the pool will be open, and by golly, we’re jumping in (at least once)!!!
FOR CAMPERS: If camping BYO sleeping bag (rated for at least 20F), bedding, blankets, pillows, etc!! Camping gear if you are tent/car camping
FOR INDOOR DWELLERS: Bedding includes a pillow, top sheet, and blanket. Feel free to bring a blanket or sleeping bag for additional warmth. Towel & face towel included.
Notebook & pen for workshops
Yoga mat and/or cushion, bolster
Battery or solar powered lighting for your tent
Handpan if you have one
Handpan stand or props needed for extra comfort while playing (stands, cushion etc)
Handpan adjacent instruments (guitar, violin, djembe, frame drum, ngoni, percussion, acoustic instruments, etc)
An open heart & playful spirit!
Raffle Money – Cash preferred. Venmo, Zelle, PayPal & CashApp accepted.
Weather Report
It might be a chilly weekend ... It might be a sunny weekend. We want Heartlanders to be comfortable throughout the weekend, so please check the local weather & arrive prepared!!
Regarding ‘icky-icky-ick ick
COVID » As we're all aware, Covid is a thing. Since we love everyone dearly, and care about community spaces, we encourage all Heartlanders to test before leaving for the weekend's festivities, especially if you're feelin' "icky"! If you have to cancel, we'll navigate the space together, pinky swear!! If ya start feeling icky during the festivities, we have testing kits and an isolation protocol for extra funzees. Much love and safety!
FAQ
More questions?
Find them here
Stronghold Castle
Facilities Include
Camping (tent, car & RV), bunk-style & semi-private room accommodations
Disc golf 1/2 course
Hiking trails
Big fire pit
Circle of Pines
Proximal to the Rock River
Covered group pavilion
Castle vibes & a secret, hidden room
Nearby boat/kayak launch on the Rock River
Stronghold Values
Engaging Life's Realities
Respect for Creation and Creatures
Hopefulness
Responsibility for Self & Action
A place of Second Chances & Grace
Hospitality
Creating a Safe Environment