BETHEL - The owner on Max Yasgur's farm will face Bethel officials in court Wednesday to decide if he violated a court-ordered injunction when thousands of people showed up at the farm last August to celebrate the Woodstock Anniversary.

Roy Howard faces contempt of court charges for hosting the three-day festival on his Route 17B farm. Prior to the event, Bethel town officials took Howard to court to ban the festival because Howard did not hold the proper permits. A court injunction was issued to stop the event.

Although Howard stopped advertising for the festival, put up "no trepassing" signs and told police he wanted people off his property, the masses showed and the party went on.

"I did what the judge told me to do," Howard said Friday. "I did not violate anything." Howard said he has already spent $20,000 on legal costs since the town charged him with contempt of court.

But the town hired a private investigator to take pictures and gather evidence on the three-day festival. Howard was charged with contempt of court by the town shortly after the festival.

A judge told the two sides to work it out between themselves by early February. Nothing came of it.

Howard said he attended a negotiation session between his and the town's lawyers on Feb. 2 to no avail. "(The town) wanted me to settle by paying about $20,000 for their court costs."

Howard said he offered $1,500 because he was in the wrong for operating Max's Barn - a structure on his property he renovated last year to host musical acts - without the proper permits.

But the town refused and the Wednesday court date was later scheduled.

Should the town prevail during Wednesday's hearing, officials want Howard to pay court, lawyer and investigative fees, said Larry Lagararenne, the town's lawyer.

He said the court injunction against Howard remains in effect.

Earlier this month, Howard presented a preliminary site plan to the town in the hope of obtaining a special use permit to allow Max's Barn to operate.

The barn, like the rest of Howard's property, falls under the town's court injunction.

Howard said he hopes to get proper permits to hold the annual Woodstock festival on his land this year.