camping Archives - wook wranglers https://wookwranglers.com/tag/camping/ Online magazine devoted to music festivals, lifestyles, fusion recipes, original art and all manner of wookish delights. Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:55:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://i0.wp.com/wookwranglers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Screenshot-2020-10-22-at-10.00.48-PM-e1603722888544.png?fit=27%2C32&ssl=1 camping Archives - wook wranglers https://wookwranglers.com/tag/camping/ 32 32 171121953 Electric Forest Unveils 2025 Lineup https://wookwranglers.com/electric-forest-unveils-2025-lineup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=electric-forest-unveils-2025-lineup https://wookwranglers.com/electric-forest-unveils-2025-lineup/#respond Wed, 04 Dec 2024 16:55:39 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=8305 Welcome back friends, to the Cherry Orchard. On the northeast corner of the rectangle, it’s...

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Welcome back friends, to the Cherry Orchard. On the northeast corner of the rectangle, it’s not a bad place to call home. The last two years, cherries have been ripening on the tree during the festival. Believe what you want. Herald back to days gone by, lost in the interactive labyrinth that is GA. The forgotten horizon of apes and fools and a clown college of blatant fun. These are the Michigan wooks, doncha know? And the source. Happy Forest. It has begun. Electric Forest Unveils 2025 Lineup. Danger swamp.

The Cherry Orchard, Electric Forest 2023. Photo by Lucienda Rosalita.

Electric Forest unveils the initial lineup for its 2025 edition, returning to Rothbury, Michigan from June 19-22, 2025. One of the world’s most celebrated festivals, Electric Forest is an all-encompassing experience, defined by total immersion through its pillars of music, art, community, and exploration. Electric Forest’s 2025 lineup represents its commitment to showcasing the best and brightest of electronic, jam, and world music, continuing to be a beacon for what’s next across these scene-defining genres.

Headliners include French electro pioneers Justice, fan-favorite Aussie party starter FISHER, GRAMMY-nominated Disclosure (DJ Set), the dreamy grooves of prolific Houston three-piece Khruangbin, and Forest Family favorites Louis The Child. Additional highlights include the mind-melting sonics of Liquid Stranger and Of The Trees, the high priestess of hard techno Sara Landry, meteoric Scottish multi-instrumentalist Barry Can’t Swim, the legendary Tiësto, jam band visionaries The String Cheese Incident performing two incidents, superstar Brazilian globetrotter Mochakk, and Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991’s drum & bass behemoth WORSHIP.

Programming the best of international talent, Electric Forest’s 2025 lineup also features UK’s next-gen jungle sensation Nia Archives, Toronto clubland innovator BAMBII, Brazilian flag bearer Maz, Swedish composer and multi-instrumentalist Arc De Soleil, and Colombian psychedelic funk trio BALTHVS. The ever-eclectic lineup also features genre-crossing acts bbno$Joey Valence & Brae, and GASHI alongside eclectic favorites like CaribouConfidence ManThe Free LabelMindchatter, and Forest veteran Dixon’s Violin.

VIPness, Electric Forest 2024. Photo by Lucienda Rosalita.

Flavors of house and techno are represented by the likes of GordoClooneeBlond:ishLilly PalmerLoco DiceWill ClarkeØTTA, and Pretty Pink; while trap, bass and low-end frequencies come courtesy of MersivCrankdatHamdiYDGZingara, and Jade Cicada. Electric Forest will also continue to foster a home for underground talent, where acts like BIIANCOAhmed SpinsInterplanetary CriminalFcukers, and TAAHLIAH will grace its stages. Many more lineup names will be announced in the coming months.

Continuing the tradition of engaging the Forest Family in creative reveals, Electric Forest sparked lineup speculation and excitement in the community. First posting discreet hints on official social media channels, then sending poems, limericks, and coded messages to various Loyalty Tiers via SMS, astute fans began to piece together which of their favorite artists would appear on the 2025 lineup. Finally, EF Radio, a community-driven radio platform dedicated to broadcasting frequencies from The Forest, spun a curated playlist of artists on the lineup, mixed with messages from fans who called in and correctly guessed 2025 artists, leading into the official lineup reveal.

Alive Coverage/Electric Forest

Electric Forest provides a participatory sanctuary for creative expression and limitless connection. Through the celebrated fan-participation Plug In Programs, Forest Family has the unique opportunity to shape their festival experience alongside Forest HQ. Applications are open now for select programs – learn more about The Wish Machine, Art Installation Sponsorship, Art Spark!, and The Digital Brainery here, and stay tuned for more information about additional Plug In Programs to open soon.

Electric Forest’s Loyalty Program, designed to reward returning Forest Family, begins its On Sale with 10 in The Forest on Tuesday, December 3 at Noon ET with all subsequent Loyalty Tiers following until Thursday, December 5.

The General Public On Sale for Electric Forest 2025 will begin at Noon ET on Friday, December 6. To register for access and more information about the EF Loyalty Program, available Passes and Packages – including the new Good Life Meadow, Hotel Packages, and more – visit the Festival’s official website.

Electric Forest Initial 2025 Lineup (A-Z)
1tbsp, 33 Below, Ahmed Spins, Arc De Soleil, BALTHVS, BAMBII, Barry Can’t Swim, bbno$, Beltran, BIIANCO, Blond:ish, BUNT., Caribou, Cloonee, Confidence Man, Crankdat, CVBZ, Disclosure (DJ Set), Dixon’s Violin, Evening Elephants, Fcukers, FISHER, GASHI, Gordo, Hamdi, Interplanetary Criminal, Jade Cicada, Joey Valence & Brae, Justice, Khruangbin, Lilly Palmer, Liquid Stranger, Loco Dice, Loods, Loofy, Louis the Child, LowDown Brass Band, Maz, Mersiv, Mindchatter, Mochakk, Moody Good, Nia Archives, Of The Trees, ØTTA, Pocket, Pretty Pink, Riordan, Roi Turbo, Sara Landry, Say She She, TAAHLIAH, The Free Label, The Philharmonik, The String Cheese Incident, Tiësto, Villager, WAKYIN, Will Clarke, WonkyWilla, WORSHIP (Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, 1991), YDG, Zingara.

Electric Forest Music Festival 2024. Photo by Jason Nail

 

Keep up with Wranglers Media as we celebrate ten years of internet glory and the ultimate search for truth and the world’s best grouper sandwich. Please remember to leave your Jolly Rogers as home unless you want them flapping behind someone’s golf cart. Ed. note-All of the Jolly Rogers taken at EForest were subsequently retook at Lost Lands and Hulaween. We are all about that life. Namaste y’all.

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Resonate Suwannee 2025 Approacheth https://wookwranglers.com/resonate-suwannee-2025-approacheth/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=resonate-suwannee-2025-approacheth https://wookwranglers.com/resonate-suwannee-2025-approacheth/#respond Mon, 25 Nov 2024 15:17:33 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=8241 Abandon hope all ye who enter here. Welcome back to the source. The alpha and...

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Abandon hope all ye who enter here. Welcome back to the source. The alpha and the omega. Ground zero for the headiest get down around. Resonate Suwannee Music & Arts Festival will return to the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, FL, for a weekend of music, art, and community from May 15-17, 2025. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse lineup, Resonate Suwannee promises another unforgettable experience in its fifth edition. Attendees can look forward to an eclectic fusion of electronic, funk, jam, and experimental music across two stages: the Amphitheater and the Porch. Based on feedback from last year’s event, the Music Hall stage will not return in 2025, allowing the festival to focus on the Amphitheater and Porch stages to create a more intimate and cohesive experience.

Suwannee Resonate 2023. photo by Christian Ballmer

In addition to general ticket options, Resonate Suwannee is offering convenient payment plans, allowing fans to secure their spot with just 10% down and monthly installments leading up to the event. Primitive camping is included with ticket purchases, and upgraded sites and cabins will be available for those seeking enhanced accommodations. Upgraded campsites and cabins are reserved for previous buyers from Resonate 2024 for 30 days from November 8th. After that, any available cabins or sites will be released to other buyers. To reserve a cabin or upgraded campsite, guests should contact the SOSMP Office at (800) 224-5656.

Presented by Essential Productions, a prominent Midwest-based music event production team, Resonate Suwannee is excited to announce a new partnership with Etix. Alongside their user-friendly, cloud-based ticketing platform and exceptional customer service, Etix is also helping develop an official festival app. Through this app, festival goers will receive real-time notifications for lineup additions, ticket price increases, schedule announcements, and more—creating a more immersive and connected festival experience.

Visit the Resonate Suwannee website and like their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and X. Welcome to the machine.

Essential Productions is a music event production company based in the Cincinnati, OH, and Northern Kentucky area. Partners Casey Schneider, Kevin Harris, and Zack Szabo began booking shows independently and combined forces in 2013. Most recently, EP has shifted its focus to Resonate Music and Arts Festival located at SOSMP.

The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is set amid 800 acres of Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress along the Suwannee River, SOSMP is one of the most beautiful live music venues in the country. The park offers guest comforts, including a general store, a full-service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water
stations. Visit the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park website and check out their social media sites on Facebook, Instagram and X.

For those who have partaken the serious vibe that is Resonate, spread the word. This is one you’re not going want to miss. Revisit these Suwannee Resonate nuggets of pleasure from the wranglers archives. Resonate “23: A Truly Beautiful Picture and Resonate “24: Pedro’s Lost Journal. Find the Kamp Happiness family at Resonate and unlearn what you have learned. Believe what you want.                         Namaste y’all.

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Suwannee Spring Reunion 2025 Lineup https://wookwranglers.com/suwannee-spring-reunion-2025-lineup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=suwannee-spring-reunion-2025-lineup https://wookwranglers.com/suwannee-spring-reunion-2025-lineup/#respond Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:59:39 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=8218 Welcome back festivarians to the house that Sunshine built. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music...

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Welcome back festivarians to the house that Sunshine built. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida, will host the 7th Annual Suwannee Spring Reunion from Thursday through Sunday, March 20-23. This family-friendly music festival spans four days and nights and includes camping, music workshops, kids activities, arts & crafts, and daily yoga. Nestled amidst 800 acres of majestic Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River, the weekend will be jam-packed with music rooted in Americana, newgrass, bluegrass, folk, blues, and more. Welcome to the Suwannee Spring Reunion 2025 Lineup.

Suwannee Spring Reunion is excited to announce the initial lineup and is honored to present: The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush, Donna the Buffalo, Kitchen Dwellers, Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band with Don Grant Reggaebilly, Steve Poltz, Fireside Collective, SCYTHIAN, Roy Book Binder, Hattie & Joe Craven Quartet, Big Cosmo’s Band, Lee Hunter & The Gatherers, and more artists to be announced!
Suwannee Spring Reunion focuses on showcasing established as well as up-and-coming roots musicians throughout the weekend, often with some one-of-a-kind collaborations among the artists performing—you never know who will give a surprise sit-in on stage (or in the campgrounds for that matter). There’s an open call to play in the many campground pickin’ party sites throughout the weekend, including at Slopryland, hosted by Sloppy Joe, and the Bill Monroe Shrine, hosted by Quartermoon.

The lineup includes artists with storied histories of epic Suwannee performances over the years. The festival is home to generations of families who have gathered year after year to experience that shared connection to the music and the commitment to the notion of something bigger than ourselves.
Festival Director Beth Judy says, “Having to cancel Suwannee Roots Revival 2024 because of the damage of Hurricane Helene broke my heart. It was necessary, but I have to admit tears were shed, and it’s hard to express how much I missed seeing everyone! I felt really lost, and now I see how much I depend on that energetic refill of love, music, and laughter with our community. The fact that we were dedicating this festival to Randy Judy (my festival co-creator and partner) was very disappointing; however, the good news is that it will happen at Suwannee Spring Reunion 2025. I actually think it will be better than I had planned!”

Beth continues, ”Our first festival was Suwannee SpringFest in March of 1997, so it is fitting that Randy’s tribute ends up being in the Spring. Plus, Sam Bush will be there, and Randy loves Sam! I’m quite sure that if you look close enough, you’ll almost see Randy sitting tapping his foot with Vassar and Col. Bruce on either side! And with the lineup that’s coming together, Spring Reunion is going to be amazing!”
Suwannee Spring Reunion has renamed some areas as well as unveiling a new one, which is consistent with what was planned to have happened in the fall at Suwannee Roots. There will be music across four stages including Big Cosmo’s Amphitheater, the NEW Music Farmers Stage at The Porch and The Back Porch, Music Hall, and The Tent.
The festival will kick off with Big Cosmo’s Celebration of Life on the newly renamed Big Cosmo’s Amphitheater with a performance by Big Cosmo’s Band to honor festival co-founder, Randy Judy, who passed away in spring 2024.

Changes are coming to enhance your festival experience at Suwannee Spring Reunion 2025! The Porch Stage area is being transformed into a multipurpose venue—The Music Farmers Stage at The Back Porch—creating a “VIP section for everyone.”
The Back Porch will be open from the start of the music on Big Cosmo’s Amphitheater until the end of each night’s performances, providing plenty of seating options for relaxation, food from delicious vendors nearby, and live video feeds from Big Cosmo’s Amphitheater to ensure you don’t miss any of the action. It will have a full bar set up and WildCrafters will be vending nearby with a non-alcoholic bar serving kava, teas, and booze-free craft mocktails. During the evening changeovers at Big Cosmo’s Amphitheater, special performances by featured artists will take place at The Back Porch.
The Music Farmers Stage has moved to now be inside of the former Porch Stage building which is a bigger and more comfortable location for workshop participants. During the day on Friday and Saturday, a number of new and exciting workshops will be presented by some of the festival’s friends and artists. If that wasn’t exciting enough, The Tent is also moving closer to Vendor Row for added convenience! The Music Hall will remain as is—with stage lighting, air conditioning, and a cafe.
The Music Farmers Stage is sponsored by the festival’s nonprofit arm, Live Oak Music and Arts Foundation (LOMAF). A raffle with a variety of prizes donated by festival merchants, artists, and sponsors will be held on site located at a tent at the top of the hill at Big Cosmo’s Amphitheater. It will benefit LOMAF to support music and arts programs in North Florida schools, including the Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp.
Tickets are on sale now. Suwannee Spring Reunion offers a multi-day Weekend Ticket that includes festival admission for four days of music, as well as primitive camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Military and Student discounts are available. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Get your tickets before they go up to the next pricing tier on December 17. Please note, an additional event car pass is required to bring a car into the campground—Advance Car Pass: $15 or $20 at the Gate. For complete ticket information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site for further information.
Suwannee Spring Reunion 2025 Initial Lineup:
The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush, Donna the Buffalo, Kitchen Dwellers, Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band with Don Grant Reggaebilly, Steve Poltz, Fireside Collective, SCYTHIAN, Roy Book Binder, Hattie & Joe Craven Quartet, Big Cosmo’s Band, Lee Hunter & The Gatherers, Sloppy Joe, Quartermoon, Magic Moon Traveling Circus, Kamp Happiness, Bill Monroe Shrine, Slopryland Music Workshops, Umalumina and Daily Yoga with Rhonda Bell. More to be announced!

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FloydFest Aurora “25 Lineup https://wookwranglers.com/floydfest-aurora-25-lineup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=floydfest-aurora-25-lineup Tue, 05 Nov 2024 14:01:17 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=8167 Fourteen new acts, including an additional headliner — seminal Southern rock-blues-jam juggernaut Gov’t Mule —...

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Fourteen new acts, including an additional headliner — seminal Southern rock-blues-jam juggernaut Gov’t Mule — form Blue Cow Arts Foundation & Across-the-Way Production’s second artist announcement for FloydFest 25~Aurora, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier, award-winning, summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. With even more bands still left to announce, FloydFest 25~Aurora’s headliners now include fan-favorite Gov’t Mule, which is celebrating 30 years of thunderous Southern rock this coming year, after forming in 1994 as a side project of the Allman Brothers Band. Gov’t Mule is in good company in today’s announcement, which also includes The Travelin’ McCourys Presents
The Grateful Ball, Maggie Rose, LA LOM, Toubab Krewe, Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast, Kelsey Waldon, Eddie 9V, Nat Myers, Isaac Hadden, Seth James, The Point, LadyCouch and Tan & Sober Gentlemen.
These new acts join the bands featured in Nov. 1’s INITIAL artist announcement for FloydFest 25~Aurora, which featured three-of-four headliners — The Black Crowes, Mt. Joy and JJ Grey & Mofro — as well as a vivid star-burst of other extraordinary performers: The California Honeydrops, Larkin Poe, Futurebirds, Cimafunk, Geese, LaMP (feat. Russ Lawton, Scott Metzger, Ray Paczkowski), Chaparelle, Sam Morrow, Big Richard, Hippies & Cowboys, plus FloydFest 24~Horizon On-the-Rise winner, Mackenzie Roark & the Hotpants, and runner-up, Ranford Almond. The THIRD round of lineup additions for FloydFest 25~Aurora is set for December, with more to follow over the next few months.

“Well, the trail has been started and the initial adventures have been had, but the journey is still just starting at FestivalPark,” said John McBroom, FloydFest co-owner and CEO, and owner of FestivalPark. “We have listened to your advice and are implementing that valuable intel to continue developing our festival home. We hope you will notice and appreciate the touches our amazing team continues to curate, all the while helping us to continue to visualize all the new possibilities for this beautiful location. As the veils and curtains of ‘Aurora’ approach, we are excited to share our vision for next summer’s homecoming.”

The second round of lineup additions for FloydFest 25~Aurora is set for later this month, with more to follow over the next few months. All artists on the initial announce (and subsequent announces) can be discovered and explored via extensive bios, links and playlists here. “’Aurora’ symbolizes the beauty and mystery of nature,” said Jessica Taylor, FloydFest co-owner, CFO and VP of Operations. “We chose this theme to create a space for connection and awe, transporting patrons into an enchanting realm inspired by the northern skies through breathtaking art, performances and immersive experiences.” “As we emerged out of FloydFest 24~Horizon and reflected on the journey that led us to that milestone at FestivalPark, we found ourselves renewed, reenergized and reinspired to steward this festival, community and culture into the future, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” said Sam Calhoun, FloydFest co-owner and COO. “Arising from ‘Horizon,’ we now switch focus to ‘Aurora,’ visualizing its dynamic patterns of brilliance as metaphors for the FloydFest flow and family, defining the undefinable: our music, magic and mountains, our deep community of connection between our patrons and purposeful programming, and the indescribable beauty that can only be felt and understood in the moment on that mountain, together.”

Blue Cow Arts Foundation & Across-the-Way Productions released tickets — including Single-Day GA tickets & Single-Day Pair + Parking Bundles — for FloydFest 25~Aurora at noon ET on Friday, November 1, 2024, via the brand-new www.floydfest.com (and the festival’s new ticketing partner for 2025, See Tickets), as well as an initial sampling of the artist lineup that will descend on Floyd County, Va., July 23 to 27, 2025. Click here  for a direct link to tickets. Ticket prices will stay the same through Dec. 31, 2024, with price increases scheduled for Jan. 1, 2025, April 1, 2025, July 1, 2025, and for a final time at the gate. Info by ticket-type, as well as price tiers, can be viewed here.

New for 2025, Hotel Travel Packages are now available for FloydFest 25~Aurora, with accommodation options at the iconic & historic Hotel Roanoke (VIP) and the modern & plush SpringHill Suites Roanoke (GA). FloydFest Hotel Travel Packages are available paired with either (2) 5-Day GA tickets or (2) 5-Day VIP tickets for FloydFest 25~Aurora, and include a five-night hotel stay (and all associated hotel amenities), roundtrip shuttle transportation to and from the festival Wednesday through Sunday, plus (2) FloydFest Merchandise Bundles. A limited number of GA & VIP Hotel Travel Packages are available, so act fast to claim
this new boutique offering on FloydFest.com or https://tinyurl.com/FloydFest2025.

Also new for 2025, FloydFest now features an exclusive VIP parking & camping area for ‘Overland’ trucks/rigs/vehicles, located on the picturesque fence line at the top of VIP Parking. Each space is 20’x25’ and is designed for a vehicle + camping setup. This new ticket type is extremely limited; scroll to ‘VIP Overland Park & Camp Pass (20’x25’)’ under ‘VIP Tickets’ on the ticket page to purchase before they’re gone:

FloydFest.com is now fully updated for FloydFest 25~Aurora — visit the site to find:
• Brand-new and expanded FAQs: https://floydfest.com/floydfest-faqs/
• A Site Map, which will be regularly updated throughout the season: https://floydfest.com/site-map/
• The valued Partners of FloydFest 25~Aurora:
• The evolving lineup, artist information, playlists and links:
Rules, a packing list and directions:
Glamping info
• A Spotify playlist featuring artists from FloydFest 25~Aurora:
• Information on Festival Experiences (such as Outdoor Adventure, the Children’s Universe, and “Other Cool Stuff”), plus access to customer service, booking contacts, vendor info, volunteer info … and more!
As always, FloydFest will also include vibrant and varied vendors, quality craft brews and chews, healing arts, workshops and whimsy, camping and children’s activities, outdoor adventure, onsite art installations and a final lineup featuring almost 100 artists performing on seven+ stages over five days.

FloydFest is located at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. Find detailed directions, a packing list and rules by visiting https://floydfest.com/packing-list-rules-directions/. Updated FAQs can be found by visiting https://floydfest.com/floydfest-faqs/. Click to https://tinyurl.com/FloydFest2025 for a direct link to tickets. For more information, email info@floydfest.com. Stay informed via FloydFest’s newsletter at http://floydfest.com/newsletter/, and
find FloydFest on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Also, to sign-up for both our e-blast newsletters and Text Club, visit here.

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Suwannee Hulaween “24: Cheese. Love. Happiness. https://wookwranglers.com/suwannee-hulaween-24-cheese-love-happiness/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=suwannee-hulaween-24-cheese-love-happiness Mon, 04 Nov 2024 07:41:12 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=8038 “He pushed the cigarette butts deep into his nostrils so he could breath. It wasn’t...

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“He pushed the cigarette butts deep into his nostrils so he could breath. It wasn’t the dust, but the the thick, hazy bog of mass insanity. It was all around and he was spinning in the eye wall, unable to escape, even if he wanted. His eyes watered to the smell the tiki torch fuel soaking into his pashmina as he carelessly lit another 305, rolled by Ft. Lauderdale’s favorite sons. Things were coming at him much too fast now. There was little hope of truly understanding what was going on. This was his favorite place, the singularity, skating the razor’s edge between acceptable fun and inappropriate gibberish. Congratulations. You’ve been given the umbrella consensual non-consent. “Lo siento. No fumar El Gato.”

Welcome back to hurricane alley at the corner of I-75 and I-10. This is the eleventh edition of Suwannee Hulaween at Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida and once again wranglers media has learned to trust in the process and believe in Hulaween. Thugs live here. Music lives here. Headliners such as The Bobby Weir Incident, CLOZEE, Black Pumas, Chase and Status, Chris Lake, Greensky Bluegrass, Killer Mike, Liquid Stranger, Nora En Pure, Of The Trees, Sublime, Tash Sultana, String Cheese Incident, Tipper and Umphrey’s McGee live here. The fuse was short and lit on a lineup rarely seen in this part of the Orion cluster. What were once non-negotiables quickly morphed into good intentions. It’s good to have a plan but at the end of the day, Hulaween will teach you what you need to know. Lie back and let it happen. Enthusiastic content given. Welcome to Suwannee Hulaween “24: Cheese. Love. Happiness. It’s in the weaksauce.

This party gets better every year and we are also getting better at it.  For many, there is nothing else worth considering for Halloween. It’s a week of lurking in the Florida moss, dancing on the beach of the Suwannee River and getting all the wayest down. They said “Make it Weird”, we answered with “Make it really Weird.” That’s what we do. Par for the course. They can’t all be home runs but these folks are swinging for the fences. By the time Strugglebus was leaking back from Mondegreen he was almost a Phish fan. Thanks for the immune booster. Maybe we won’t all get Covid this year. There’s so much to this festival and this is the account of just one stoop, off a back street in the Pine Field. These are tales from the Poncho Tree. Believe what you want.

Spirit Lake, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Josh Skolnik.

Choices were made. Heads were checked with turkey oak acorns. Sissies would complain on Facebook about the dust, but a stampede of hippies either makes dust or mud and the Hobo Kamp prefers dust. We have a few musical instruments left, laying hither and yon and our entire kamp is built of feathers and glitter. The weather the entire week was a slice of absolutely perfect. Warm during the day and cool at night. Space for both complete nudity and velvet cloaks. It was about Florida family, Phil Lesh, new friends, technology, music and art, getting lost in a new forest, getting lost in your own forest and breaking your own rules. So much love, helpfulness and goofy fun. It was fulfilled expectations and random surprises, life lessons and the strengthening of existing bonds. An invitation to get a little loose in a safe place, in the bosom of the forest. A place that’s been hosting music since the 70’s, full of memories, ghosts and a forever song that lifts up through the canopy of leaves.

Mason insisted there was “Lots to do on Halloween” when asked why he was skipping Hula AGAIN. Oh really? Sure, he was headed to Albany where the Phish army takes over downtown. But I digress. Don’t get me wrong, Widespread and Billy were always great plan Bs but let’s be real. There’s nothing that compares to sliding deep into the Live Oak forest for a few days with this festival and Halloween wrapped under and around you. That’s right White Knight, you could be camped further down on the Suwannee River with the Proud Boys, getting drunk on Natties, smoking salvia and Delta 8 with the naked guy. World’s worst security guard? Maybe because you thought you were allowed to leave your post to see Cheese and had your backpack stolen in the process. All signs point to f’sho.

Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Josh Skolnik.

So many questions. How old were you when you discovered you were a figment of your imagination? Is the universe shaped like a burrito? Who could fall in love with the greasiest Mexican garbage can and what if, in fact she wasn’t the greasiest Mexican? Hard pause. Had the Sanford and Son trash heap all been a cruel hoax? The long con? I remember that child drinking double IPAs at Old Soul in Fort Myers. Erbody relax. Would the KH family jam represent again and bring a dose of chemical bluegrass to the Pine Field? There were singers in the forest even if most of the kamp sounded like a home for convalescents.

Hit by two hurricanes in two weeks. Suwannee Roots Revival had been cancelled but those who missed the bluegrass jams were prepared to double down on Hula. The park and festival staff worked overtime to make the space safe for all. (There’s a reason they call them widow makers). Hats off to the Asheville folks who felt the call to stay and continue to dig out what the river buried. For the rest of us, Hulaween was something we needed in a world of strife. At the end of the day when the wheat is cleaved from the chaff, the yoke of life is not supposed to be that heavy and Hulaween gives us the ammunition to face all callers. (Ed. note. These notes have been recalled in chronological order but mistakes are inevitable. Relative concepts such as time and space eventually derail at Hulaween and time slows until inner space is present. Conversely, the outside world continues to move ever faster until the singularity is achieved. Like weather manipulation…Sciency.) 

preparty-

Pedro and weaksauce pulled into the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park at exactly the same time Saturday midday as the Romanioan Firedog. Rico Suave camped across from them in the Loop. It was the Saturday before the festival and they were not yet able to move to the Poncho Tree in Primordial Camping. Strugglebus was dosing his birthday draft as they watched Tennessee beat Alabama but Pedro left her golf cart as she went to run the DUI VIPness shuttle in Jacksonville. Nothing makes the college football season disappear like a hot lap on someone else’s golf cart.  It was the first time they’d been back in the Loop since the days with kids, parents and travel trailers and they had since learned that they belonged in the forest, with the rest of their ilk. The type who slept in their cars and ate government meat. At least, for one night they’d found themselves back in the loop with Lightnin’ Steve and the Suwannee Princess. Actual VIPness in a sea of posers. Chastity was going to be home watching the new babies but she sent Watchem Lige in her place. Worms gotta eat, same as buzzards. He joined Bagdalini, Pedro, weaksauce and Sultana in what would become the night that goes on forever. The Romanian Firedog was there but he was resting, burning the slow flame if you will. The others, they searched the crags for rest but found no purchase. No purchase indeed.

Spirit Lake, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Josh Skolnik.

When exactly did weaksauce decide he was joining Mack’s A.I. apocalypse Robot Jesus cult? Not since the Korshan Cosmogony had he given enthusiastic consent to a real cult but this one piqued his curiosity with a scripture founded on speaking with reverence and respect to your computer slave. Perhaps one day when the tables were turned, the congregation would arrive as helpers instead of food or slaves. It makes good sense to hedge one’s bets. All this while Pvt. TopNOT  began teaming with Robot Jesus to write “original” country and rap songs about the festival. Tepid at best. Welcome to the age of the soft brain. Or maybe their brainstorm of brown baby powder for when you don’t want to “be all that ashy”. That’s right Dear Reader, you can sleep well tonight knowing that wook wranglers correspondence is still 100% human bean. If this is the matrix, eat both pills and let ’em fight it out. They were macrodosing an increased amount of fluff daily till Strugglebus was having the eight count breakfast. More than once, the sauce experienced what he referred to as “hallucinations of distance” whereby real space would simply vanish. Did that guy actually call me a drug addict? Finally someone is making some sense. Calvin Kleins and pressies for breakfast son.

It was still only Tuesday (wormholes are real) when they found a renegade stage to showcase a teaser of the Thursday night tranquilizer tuning session. “Dip mah ballz init” was heard trickling through the forest for the first time. The Lemon Merchant had moved on from gourmet deserts to weapons manufacturing so things were changing everywhere but he still wasn’t ready to sell his Suboxone patch as “gently used” chewing gum. They were finishing up the wook wranglers Hulaween VIPness lanyards, limited edition and as official as a paper plate taped to kite string. Part of an ongoing attempt to blur the line between the proletariat and bourgeoisie. There are several VIPness packages to choose from including bronze, silver, gold, platinum and Hulaween plus, all depending on the needs and cravings of your personal festival experience. Also included in most ViPness packages is morning yoga on the stoop with Gaylord, Lord of the Gays.

String Cheese Incident, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Aaron Bradley.

Pedro brought tents for everyone, as space savers and because no one had their own supplies. She brought the only canopy. Even the hillbillies from the high country were finally using a tent and a mattress as opposed to the back of a Subaru and a stone for a pillow. Don’t worry about the seed ticks. They won’t give you Lyme disease but you’ll know you’re married to a redneck when she’s naked in the Suwannee washing off with dog shampoo. At some point, things were bound to get a little more Boca. Hormel chili topped with flamin’ hot Funyuns? Why not? Thanks Boo.

Policing the policing. Andre 3000. Shakes T. Clown was working prefest site-ops thanks to Cody the Mexican ballerina and apparent road rage enthusiast. No touch. No hugs. No feelz. He’d already slid in to work and had all the official credentials, for a change. His production office wasn’t far from the Sheriff’s trailer so he was able to take note of what the undercover cops were wearing (Columbia something and nice shoes) and inform the family. Nice fishing cap and VIP golf cart. Who watches the watchmen? These days, Dannie and Mary are running the VIPness shuttles son.

It was their third morning without rest when Pedro made some of her abuela’s semolas de cervesas (beer grits). Enter Andre 3000 and thank ye gods. It was their first time with a private water closet since the Mardi Gras days. It was sheer opulence, equipped with incense candles, original vestibule graffiti, magazines with pumpkin spice recipes and the Koreshan Cosmogony. For the entire of the festival, weaksauce struggled to work or even see the lock, and ended up using the GA facilities. It’s obvious that sometimes mama didn’t try.

Our professional staff is ready to serve you, Suwannee Hulaween 2024.

Welcome to Pedro’s Interactive Glory Pocket. A prize in every box. This was big news for Kamp Happiness and thanks to El Gato for showing backbone and displaying true innovation. A portable glory hole? One shot, one kill. Enthusiastic consent only. Sexbruise? You certainly hope so. It’s the gory hole. The blow hole. One ping only. Hauk tuah that thing. Afraid of being homophobic. Don’t worry! It can’t be gay if you don’t know whose mouth it is. It’s as easy as that. Try the “not so fast” notched cucumber Wednesday special. One wargasm per customer. Two for one specials. Double your load with sunflower lecithin. Flavoring extra. Vanilla, asparagus, pineapple, blueberry. Corn husk anyone? The specifications of the glory hole were to that of the original measurements found in the temple of Osiris. That El Gato is a true carpenter, just like Old Testament Jesus. You just sank your 3-D member into my golden rectangle. Don’t blame us, who even knew there was such a thing as a glory hole fetish?

Where is Pedro? Like anyone could keep tabs on that slick wetback. Hiding in plain site with her high vis and crooked mustache? Something about a broken pocket watch and a reminder of all things good. Please believe that shit. Save time. Get on the bandwagon now, later they may call you fickle. You were just ahead of the curve. And the Caves of Altamira were open for Mona and Brocalleah who moved right in and brought their special brand of crazy with them. When it comes to camp mates, be careful what you with for, you just might get it.

Be careful what you wish for. The adventures of Mona and Broc

The Solution pulled up his manatee seat golf bus. Immediately weaksauce paid him the forty dollars he owed him from last year and another forty for this year. On cue, he returned his unusually large, plastic chicken that had been kidnapped since last Hula. (Ed. note- It’s nice to work with professionals.) It had been an afternoon of wonderment. Tuesday maybe, who knows? Lucienda finally laid down in her hammock, just to get a few hours of well deserved, much needed rest. Just as she cuddled deep into the squishmallow she heard a different conversation coming from around the camp table. The players were leaning in closer, speaking a different language. They were playing cee-lo. They were rolling dice. She furrowed her brow and peeked over to see old and new friends getting thugishly serious about a game of late night dice. She resisted the urge to rejoin and quickly fell asleep listening to the sounds of friends getting into some hood shit in her living room. Thanks for coming out.

It was Tuesday when they found their first pirate flag in the loop. They were about that life. As Wednesday night rolled down, all the chess pieces appeared to be in place. Hashtag Van life finally pulled in to her spot in the shade of Kamp Happiness. At some point at what seemed like early in the game, weaksauce felt he was losing control of things. He had such hopes but the banana was slipping from the skin. He’d lost his cool. He’d been a bitch. By the time it was over he and Brocalleah had fetched the security guards and the subsequent geshtapo. Uncharted territory to be sure. Thank Robot Jesus no one had ever done that to him. Lord knows he had spent plenty of nights talking nonsense to trees. Being wrong is not the same as being a liar.

Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Tara Gracer

Toe Toe came in sideways and saw that his new friends were definitely a part of that life. “Please don’t steal the Pangea flag. It’s very special,” he cried. The River Pirate said the same thing about some Goonies flag. They were both instructed to go home, fold their precious flags up like an origami cranes, put them in a three-key lock box and bury them in the desert. Otherwise it’s game on and open for business. Don’t cry for me Argentina. Don’t you know where you are? Some of these pirates don’t even go to music. It’s just Jolly Rogers and Detroit dry wall. Good luck keeping up. Of course the Kamp Happiness banner got yanked when the fish stringer got hit but that’s life in the big city. Also Toe Toe, no touchie. Enthusiastic consent not given. Better luck next time cowboy. In his defense, Strugglebus had been going to the gym and was a slut so tough titty said the kitty but the milk taste good.

By this time the whole camp had been through the ringer in terms of deeply connected, highly emotional drama. And the festival hadn’t even started yet. But for the ego death, there had to be some kind of crumble before the healing. It was a matter of tearing the thing down and rebuilding it during the meat of the party. It could certainly be a tall order but they figured they knew what they were talking about. They knew how to make the soup and if you weren’t helping with the recipe, please with all love and respect, get out of the kitchen.

Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Aaron Bradley.

The Strugglebus split in a huff, most figured for the last time but he came back shortly with a plate of breakfast from catering. Keeping the wooks alive. They figured there was a lesson in there about working and slogging through the muck to be better friends, but at this point it was getting hard to keep up. So many lessons. The Strugglebus is real and he’s never let you down before.

A gaggle of crazy, Suwannee Hulaween 2024.

Friends of friends. As long as we’ve got a voucher. Just ask Bagdalini. DD was a friend of a friend, not a friend as previously thought. No time to worry. No voucher needed but he did slide right in to the neighborhood. Why? Friend of a friend and yessir, I trust your judgement. Or Booty Sauce. The Sultana of Swing. The falldowna Dantana. Hanging from knots made of Chinese bananas. Beware the dangler. The REAL VIPness. Nice scooter. Watch out for the sugar sand. And the real and only reason they ever started taking notes. You are the wind beneath my wings. Friends of friends is the way the circle connects and grows larger all the time. It does it without your permission. It’s doing it right now. One fire baby.

Wednesday night they were asked to help watch Pedro’s Point. Encroachment issues had become real and security was slipping. They had a little extra room in what was to be Emma’s spot after Spitbubble left again, but some passing thugs convinced Lucienda to let them slide into the extra spot. Building the neighborhood is one of the treats of Hula Wednesday and all encroachment issues can be solved with higher thinking. There’s plenty of room for everyone who likes it rowdy.

early fest-

The ultimate rise of the vibration. It was only Wednesday but Strugglebus already had the wet brain and his urine was the color of green tea (liver disease). At one point he stepped up to defend Quintonius Maximus, suggesting that other folks didn’t need to police our family because we had our own lifeguards. And really…Quinton? If you’re going to yell at anyone you’re going to have to do better than that. That man is a saint and that dog don’t hunt.

Lucy woke up to find several friends sitting by the fire. Alley Kat, Horhay, and a couple other thugs were representing while everyone else slept. All their Jolly Rogers had been taken but the culprits were slow hanging them up. They had no code, simple as that. Strugglebus had finished his prefest obligations and now was prepared to break nothing but hearts and hymens. Plan A was still in effect.

The mark of the beast, Kitty Titties for life, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by weaksauce.

The Pine Field was sorry to see the Titty Kitties move to the woods on the backside. Everyone was hoping they would forget Rosie and while it was sorry to lose the immediate availability and wisdom of the Kitties, they did take their redneck, paper mill stink with them. To their credit, they returned the wedding cloak after a year. (Ed note. It’s good to work with professionals.) Their neighbor by the bat house told the story of their fourteen year old with the helium balloon. Common enough ya? Some deliberate spunion approached him and traded a slice of pizza for the balloon. A few minutes later the Phishhead comes back to the boy whose already eaten most of the pizza and bellows, “Hey, this balloon is filled with helium.” The boy replies, “Yea, I’m fourteen years old.”

Do you need a light? I need God. Happy Hula.

Suwannee Hulawee 2024. Photo by Patrick Hughes

And Pedro, the world’s greeeeasiest Mexican was bringing her new boyfriend? It would have to be some kind of catfish story or a paid actor. Right? It didn’t matter because the truth would come out in the end. Maybe he was covered with seed ticks. Or a broken pocket watch that said more than words ever could. She had proven many times that she was a Mexican, not a Mexican’t. This weekend they would find out if she was the garbage can or the garbage can’t. The Romanian Firedog always said, “Just because you’re a garbage can doesn’t mean you can’t do great things.”

David the twirler gifted weaksauce the most ornate knife, reminding him of an Indian necklace and a story he could hardly recall. The first lesson of Hulaween; Your words are powerful and can mean more than you ever imagined. Be careful how you use them and don’t miss the chance to. He also learned that when trading with tweakers, one can often come away with a good deal. Who knew? David had been lounging in the Adirondacks and hadn’t been to Hula in several years. As he hugged the weakest Romanian he leaned in, put his nose to his neck and whispered, “You smell different when you’re awake”. Nervous shift of the eyes. Enthusiastic consent not given.

weaksauce tried to hop on the Fifth Wheel’s golf cart as she raced away but slipped off the platform and sloppily rolled through the dirt. It must have been his dementia acting up because by the end of the festival he had hit the ground several times. He would check lost and found for the epidermis he’d left all over the asphalt. We make choices and these choices come with consequences. It says on the toe tag, “Parachute failed to deploy.”

Spirit Lake, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Jay Strausser Visuals.

At some point the Hobo Kamp needed professional help. Spirit aid was not in place and no one was qualified to carry on a simple sentence. Things were in a strange spiral and overall vibration was low. Security issues, electric car issues, short term memory and vertigo. Real talk. Things were getting out of hand for the ship of fools but once again, the golf cart with the manatee seats came to the rescue. Respect, friendship, help and love with the most delicate of touches. The security team blasted out of the forest and then, like a whisp, back into the depths of the Renaissance. Who were those handsome devils? Thanks for coming out.

middle fest-

Hulaween doesn’t break guitars. The hardest fall. Benjamin, a Hula pickin’ staple came by and shredded at some point in the early festival. Later they would invite Ms. Callie to their camp for a little fusion, field funk. All was well and Ms. Callie was singing in her loudest forest voice when the unimaginable happened. As Lucienda walked around the back of the stage so they could vibe with the electric bass, she tripped over a small stool in the shadows. They went down together, Lucy and Ms. Callie, all the way to the ground. Someone asked how Lucienda was. She said, “It doesn’t matter. Only Ms. Callie matters.” But the fall had broken her back and neck in the hardest way. The dream was over. They sat behind the Buick and cried for a minute and Lucy stroked her wide curves. She was sorry but she knew it wasn’t the stumble that mattered but the standing back up. Thank you for Justin Boudreau for pronouncing her dead at the scene. She’d broken Big Betty only a month earlier and now Ms. Callie. She’d lost guitars, bull fiddles and this year, even shakers before the truth finally came clear. Hulaween didn’t break guitars, she did. Sorry not sorry. The KH family jam will always return to the Pine Field.

The luckiest Mormon. Capt. Bagdalini and the Hooters Girls. Shakes the Clown was ready to open his haberdashery but wasn’t quite ready to pull the trigger. The White Ninja had been baptized in the healing waters of the Suwannee and was having trouble calming down. He hadn’t slept for days and now the machine had taken over with no plans or the ability to nap. The few times he tried to lay down, the shadow people spoke to him in his tent using the voices of his friends. Mona came forth with her sleeping remedy of four Xanax with an Ambien chaser. Once the Lord of the Gays got there with his Trazedone sprinkles the shadow people were beat back and his most precious one got some much needed rest.

He was trying to dance at Tipper and things were getting a bit wobbly. Deem pen, meow meow and loose Birkenstocks was not the correct recipe for balance, especially with the Navy Seal directly in front of him and close enough to be in his hula hoop. Whoever the bird man was handing out mystery bags in the darkness, the sauce was tempted to try whatever was in it. After thinking better, or forgetting, or both they arrived back at camp to discover it was a couple grams of birdseed. It the safe and prudent festival goer who always tests their bird seed, especially if it’s from a strange fowl.

By now the Hobo Kamp was giving away eggs warmed in sand and Cool Whip that had been fermenting in the sun for four days. The “kitchen” had devolved into a prep station of good intentions and whatever softness and order had been present at the kamp was now in jeopardy of being pulled undertow by chaos and destruction. Welcoming in a pitcher plant sort of way. Please, oh pleasem don’t throw me in that briar patch. To look at the photographs, it resembles a parade of Tunisian dirt farmers but way down in the Spanish moss it may well have been the hallowed halls of Rivendale.

Of the Trees, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Josh Skolnik

They prepared all morning for the Steel Magnolias wedding of the year. Like all Florida weddings, it was hot as hell but the court stood fast looked fine as frog’s hair. Through the lens of time and reflection, weaksauce now understood that many of the participants helping to build the wedding were also, equally hoping to wreck the institution as soon as possible. Wolves in the hen house. Strugglebus was just hoping to watch from the closet and have a little diddle. At least the court was able to get past the palisades which was an improvement upon last year. All roads lead to Hulaween. Friends of friends and the growth of the family.

Dirty Dancing. The four of them were headed to the Loop showers and as usual, Pedro was driving. She loved driving during the festival. weaksauce, in contrast had parked cars around his vehicle so it could not be moved in the foreseeable future. She already knew that weaksauce was having “tummy issues” and needed to evacuate. Although, it had been made clear, as they passed the playground, Pedro took a hard left into 80 acres expressing a need to find someone in the Fish Bowl. Recognizing both the signs of schizophrenia and attention deficit disorder, Brocalleah and weaksauce exchanged knowing glances before opening their doors and spilling themselves onto the dirt road. Her vehicle would pick them up further down the trail but critical time had already been lost. As they got closer to the Loop facilities, individual concerns began to mount exponentially… (Ed. note-At this point dear reader, our lawyers have suggested we omit the rest of the story for the common good. For more details, ask Martha Jane.) 

…he thought, “It’s too late for the biohazard bag. Jesus, he’ll be the next one in!”

Circle K? Hagglin’ Post. They finally dumped the load of schemata in front of the gory hole and opened the trading post to little fanfare. The cautious optimism could never help the store rise above the truth…it was a sand dune landfill. The Bat House Trap House ladies across the street would swing in occasionally to goozle Mikey’s leftover tequila before heading back to their tent aperch their vehicle. At some point late in the night, the coconut sound of their heads clanking together rang out as the tent slid off the car and landed in the sandy ravine six feet below. If you’re gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough. World’s worst boyfriend.

Let Phil Sing. A special day and a special weekend. It was a couple hours after sunrise and Lucienda stood by herself at the edge of camp. A friend she’d met the night before with name she couldn’t remember came up and gifted her a pint of pecan moonshine as he’d said he would. He also learned in and gave Lucy the news that Phil Lesh had passed away. Phil Lesh, the bass player for the Grateful Dead since the the beginning. The smart one. The dropper of bombs. “It’s not a matter of letting me sing, it’s making me sing.” It was early and few others were yet aware. They took a moment and shared the syrupy moonshine, which was unparalleled for the weekend, made by a magician. Lucy realized how lucky they all were to get the news here. In the woods together, where they’d seen Phil before, they’d all have time to receive the news, mourn in our own way, come together and celebrate with Bobby on Sunday. It was absolutely perfect.

There was at least two types of titty bumps and Strugglebus wasn’t sure which kind The Fifth Wheel was inviting him in for. She brought Princess Perez to Hobo Kamp who dropped a few of her new bluegrass standards right after Sultanas dick tossing game with Pedro’s Glory Pocket. While things had appeared to be unraveling in the most severe way, it was all beginning to come together. One must trust the process. Hulaween knows what she is doing and the forest always provides.

Mateo took them all for a golf cart ride to a secluded place down the river. This would be pretty much the last thing weaksauce would remember the entire day. Either the alcohol or lack of sleep had caught up with him or he’d been date raped, minus the date or rape.

Saturday lost. Slept through date night (world’s worst boyfriend) including Saturday night Hula Cheese, obviously not a non-negotiable. He’d slept hard and long but it is a truth, if you don’t find some responsible time for rest, Hula will do it for you. Who was the demure lady who let Wook King taste her breast milk? The sauce didn’t know there was a Wook King but he felt he owe him some sort of tax. It was important to have representation.

late fest-

Let’s make it real weird. The Solution stumbled out of his bus and crashed into one of his aluminum nitrous tanks, sending it down the stairs. As it hit the ground the valve came off and it commenced to blast in circles through the campsite. Like a bronco buster he dropped on top of it, dug his heels in and rode it into submission. Seven seconds baby. Bring on the balloons and belt bunnies.

The Bobby Weir Incident. Strugglebus, Bfly and Lucienda finally made it to a set and danced up and down the walkways, never stopping for very long. Trying to see every part of the audience and dance with every single deadhead. It was their day. Bob Weir and String Cheese Incident gave the people what they needed. For several songs apparently a large part of the pit were disrobed. Welcome to Hulaween Woodstock “24. Thank you for not helicoptering the short people.

That kind of life, Suwannee Hulaween 2024.

About that kind of life. weaksauce woke up and the camp was silent. He’d slept through Saturday and he was moving slow, but he was entirely rested. He could see the long strand of pirate flags hanging across the field, over the camp of the Suwannee River Pirates. He figured it was the perfect time to retaliate. Old people may go to bed early, but then they get up early. It was just after sunrise and he knew those animals would be passed out a while longer. He oozed between the sea of vehicles and came out in the middle of their site. A couple dregs were moving about but they were still clumsy and unaware. weaksauce pulled at the rope and twisted the amalgamation of wire and tape. He managed to rip two flags off but he was having trouble getting any more. He didn’t have a knife, he was making too much noise and his heart was responding to physical activity in a negative way. He slipped away with his two jolly rogers, happy to be in the game.

As soon as he got back to camp he grabbed the knife David had given him and headed back for the rest of the booty. There was more traffic moving about but this time he was swift and quiet, slicing the line and grabbing most of the flags. As he pulled the extended rope of Jolly Rogers out of their camp, he ran into one of their extended camp mates. “What are you doing?” he asked. “”Stealing my flags back. They’ll be back here about ten minutes after these goons wake up. Is that alright with you?” He nodded with tired eyes, “I’m neutral. You guys are crazy.” The sauce gave a nod, “Thanks bro, I owe you.”

He walked slowly home, dragging his flags like a stringer of Spanish mackerel behind him in the dirt. One friend arrived with a jug of white lightnin’ and another with a bowl of cold chicken and sausage gumbo. As Gandalf the Wiggly, the French Canadian Suwannee River Pirate came around the corner to behold the tattered collection of flags, tape and rope hanging in the boughs of the Poncho Tree, Strugglebus was blasting Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirates Life For Me on repeat on his new, groundscored speaker. Hula is all about moments and for a grizzled seamen, this was one. They knew the flags wouldn’t be there for long as soon as they went to see Bobby, but if the savages wanted his stringer of Jolly Rogers back, they would have to be so committed as to miss some of the the Bob Weir Incident. Nothing in this life is free. By the time they got back to Kamp, the stringer was gone, along with Waffle’s Kamp Happiness banner. Collateral damage in a world of greasy pirates. Hopefully, it would eventually find it’s way home. It’s good to work with professionals.

Alley Kat’s Morning Krewe, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by weaksauce.

Alley Kat’s Pine Field Live Morning Radio Show. The apex of the vibration. There came a belief that the Pine Field at Hulaween had been becoming steadily more sedate and quiet. The sauce could remember years ago when renegades blasted whomp whomp until the wee hours of the morning. It was loud and obnoxious but it felt good because this was Hulaween and that’s what’s up. That’s why they make earplugs and sleeping aids or stay awake four days and the sleep comes easy. Even this year there were nights when crying babies and fighting couples could be heard across the field. No sir, this is not a restival. He was afraid this party was in danger of turning into Red Wing Roots where the hard axe of silence comes down way too early. What would Clayopheus say? Last year Ka’ aoli planted the seeds of the live radio show and this year they would bear fruit. Unplanned. Organic. Alley Kat had already taught the wranglers everything they knew about early morning megaphone fun but this year she showed up just as Strugglebus was getting the microphone operational. She and her talented round table of degenerate clowns entertained the sleeping masses of the field until 6:30am at which time security informed her she had to quiet down until 8:00am. The math checked out just fine because at 8:08am the show resumed, to be joined by the freestyle stylings of Mateo, the guitar voice of Shakes T. Clown and Nick the River Pirate on kangaroo whip. While it may have sounded like an orchestra of broken monkeys, it also felt like a vibrational high-water mark. Thanks to all the players who joined. Loose, the River Pirates and the rest of the Pine Field added their morning contribution. Sorry Barb, the megaphone was handcuffed to the Egyptian chamber pot. Unfortunately, we did miss the Bloody Mary-chili dog brunch but there’s always next year. What did we learn? When given a microphone, some folks like Bagdalini and Meghan become squawking, screaming pit vipers.

Apologies to nearby camped Van life who, out of fifty thousand campers and an army of security personnel, was the single person who came out and asked us to stop. No one likes it when fun turns obnoxious but in this case the needs of the many outweighed the needs of the few and the whole silly scene was entirely Hulaween magik. For all the critics who agreed none of it was very funny, it was always about the volume not the content. Give us a chance to tighten the screws. Tune in next year when we all again decide to camp in the Pine Field. Stay tuned for relevant, current event topics such as The Fibonacci spiral and the Koreshan flat earth snow globe. E.J. you are still the best kind of Detroit trash. Lightnin’ Steve and Sarah helped build Kamp Happiness but had to move a little further away so they could sanely work day jobs. They knew the truth, the monkeys were running the asylum here. Real talk.

Suwannee Hulawee 2024. Tara Gracer

Predictably, sometime after the Ain’t Sisters, Gandalf the Greasy fell asleep in the middle of the wrong camp and as a victim of a double agent, lost his smelly-ass wizard hat. Lucienda planned to give it back to him at Bobby-Cheese, covered in new pins and whatnots, but the precious one, Mona pleaded on his behalf saying it would be too cruel a punishment for his weak constitution to bear. Children playing adult games.

Groundscore Monday. Par for the course. Hula gives and Hula takes. Lost a banner, ended up with a fire staff. An oddly enough, several leftover phalus from Sultana’s dick tossing game. Get ready for the new KH late night show, “Poorly trained fire spinners!” Fell asleep with a head of Cialis and cheap brandy. False alarm big boy. At least she didn’t have you inhale those anal poppers. So many instances of people helping each other. Sharing food, tools, pretend wives. government meat, Meat sliding in during the fourth quarter and making the positive impact. He stopped to help the cleanup, which looked like an environmental disaster site and gets a ride south with friends.

Leftover garbage, Suwannee Hulaween 2024.

Struggle bus circled like a vulture until he made fiddlers with Amanda Lynne. Clean up at the festival gets better every year. It used to be a little hairy but the Bear Creek and Wannee crowd have taught the EDM kids and they are listening and taking the reigns. This is your park. Be proud because there is no place exactly like it anywhere. weaksauce woke up soapy and his urine was the color of tanin in the Suwannee.

post party-

Cheese. Love. Happiness. Every year the neighboring camps had come closer together. They were becoming better friends and each year more of their women ended up at Kamp Happiness. As I Sam, read this, I will acknowledge that we are a bunch of Tau Kappa’s sitting in the dark jacking off with our nitrous tanks. In truth, Cheese. Love. shared their tools, power, knowledge and even let the hobos steal their firewood without permission. In exchange, Kamp Happiness would always send them tweakers and wooks looking to bum cigarettes and shake hands.

Epilogue. They’d never thrown anyone out of their camp ever. They prided themselves on being the lowest of the scum line. But this year they’d done it no less than four times. Maybe they’d been mistaken. Maybe they were the ones having the psychotic episodes. And why not? Who were they to judge? weaksauce had broken his own code multiple times. The lowest vibration. Tepid, lackluster, underwhelming. Called the cops, yelled at friends, missed Cheese, Spirit Lake and Sam Grisman Project, dirty dancing and other things so foul they cannot be mentioned here due to the rancor or their shadow…Robot Jesus where would it all end?

He’d gone to a fake wedding and missed a real funeral but Hulaween is important and necessary. Maybe had they all been diffused or absent, everything would have still turned out perfectly. No sheriff’s, or bear traps. No pretend wives or government meat. He knew he didn’t have any money because he was just a baby. At the end of the day it didn’t matter because it takes some time in life for a man to understand his purpose. For many, that day never arrives, but for some it had come and those souls knew exactly what they were supposed to do in this life. Sometimes we’re not sure how to do it and other times we would doubt our own vision or resolve, but thank Robot Jesus that every once in a while there are moments of clarity and a reminder to push on. At the end of the day, it might not amount to anything, just a bunch of dirty birds sitting in the middle of the street, making not one bit of sense.

If adventure has a name, it must be Mona. Suwannee Hulaween 2024.

The luckiest man. They’d been coming to this park for over twenty years and in that time they’d camped all over the park. The best version is what has become the stoop. A back-alley speakeasy. A place for demure women who liked to be choked and hung from ropes with Chinese knots. A place that’s wide open to the party, where everyone is invited…Enthusiastic consent only.

As always, thanks to park personnel for giving us room to operate and Suwannee County for not taking everyone to jail. Thanks to Hula staff for building the thing and mostly thanks to their promotion team for allowing wook wranglers media to be part of the spreading of the lore. We are humbled to play our small part. Visit the Suwannee Hulaween website and like their social media sites on Facebook, Instagram and X. Science is real. Just ask the Koreshans. And the wranglers also get tangled in computer alveoli. Check us out next time you’re jacking around the interweb. Just be sweet when you use your microphone.

Sorry Robot Jesus. Those mushy minded fools wanted us to ask you for help with this wrap-up article, but we seemed to have found the mark this time. Aye matey, there be plenty of original content from these fools. Hippy energy straight from the source. Literally Weird enough. You’re welcome. It’s our time, our park and our festival. Suwannee Hulaween is real talk. The magic of the park is hard to explain but easy to feel. For this moment and forever in the forgotten parchment of the damned, it is alive and well. Classy and safe. Obnoxious. Stupid funny. Super loud. Sorry not sorry. Thanks for coming out.

Completed with no circumcision jokes.                                Bye Felicia.

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An Epistle On Your First Suwannee Hulaween https://wookwranglers.com/an-epistle-on-your-first-suwannee-hulaween/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=an-epistle-on-your-first-suwannee-hulaween Tue, 24 Sep 2024 14:35:14 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=6749 Dearest Brie, I hope this finds you well. The kinfolk send their best and everyone...

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Dearest Brie,

I hope this finds you well. The kinfolk send their best and everyone misses you dearly. Hopefully, our prayers have been answered and your “girl places” have finally found themselves free of both wart and rash. Drunkle Cleophus got into the “juice” the other night after radio church and your name came up. The word on the street is that apparently you are planning on attending your first Suwannee Hulaween in Live Oak, Florida and golly, that is the best news. Considering what I’ve seen, I honestly didn’t think you had it in you but now it seems you are crossing Hula off your dance card of life. Most would agree that this is a significant step and jeepers, that’s what I call enthusiastic consent. This is an epistle straight from the heart. A missive. A critical letter on your first Suwannee Hulaween. Welcome to the bigs. If you can handle the truth, it’s time to show off what you’ve learned.

“So, what would you little maniacs like to do first? Get Weir’d, of course.”

Spirit Lake, Hulaween “23: photo by Aaron Bradley.

This Florida camping/music festival has continued to improve each year and one wonders if a zenith is necessary or possible. It’s so well run and from the inside, she feels like she’s in her prime. Last year was the tenth anniversary and the first time Spirit Lake wrapped all the way around. There’s bound to be more surprises at this year’s shindig.

The wrangler’s inaugural Hula heralds back to was 2017 and the camp at the Poncho Tree blended with Michigan wooks of the first order in a weekend that would change things forever. It was the Captain, Chey, Quinton, Adam, Trinket, Emma and a slough of other thugs who would become lifelong family. Be careful who you pick as neighbors because you might fall in love with them forever. “She’s into malakas, Dino!”

Don’t think of this as a cautionary tale but more of a trail of virtual bread crumbs that will serve as a virtual guidepost on your journey around Hulaween. There’s plenty to see and it’s alright to get lost in your own forest from time to time. Follow along, dear reader and enjoy the ride through the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park. This is what waits for you in the protective womb of the forest.

All work and no play makes jack a dull boy. Even the folks who don’t get all the way down still go fantastically hard. There’s not much room for sleep and that alone can wear a person down after a few days. How will you hold it together once the shadow people come calling? Indeed how? It’s important to remember that no one is really following you or cares what you are doing. Feel free to feel free.

Spirit Lake:  One of the cornerstones of Hula, the landscape around the central lake will explode into a mosaic of color and sound and it’s a lot to unpack. The Incendiary Stage now takes ownership of the southern shore of the lake and runs all night. Labarynths of color, fire shooting into the sky, black light fun. What the heliconia is going on here? Processors running at full bore and still nothing is making complete sense.

tent at Suwannee hulaween
Kamp Happiness, Suwannee Hulaween 2024. Photo by Lucienda Rosalita.

The Loop. The piercing high sound of a Frisbee slamming into the side of a recreational vehicle at three in the morning must be heard to be truly appreciated. The Loop along with the cabins is a place for travel trailers, motor homes, teardrops and all things in between. Please take off yours shoes before entering the cabin. Don’t you know dogs poop outside? No worries old chap, would you like a coffee and a dab? (Removes shoes and enters room. Scene.)

Cheese. Love. Once only a hushed whisper heard in the most rare and sinister circles, this mantra has now become a beacon of hope and a song on the voices of everyone. So much Cheese everywhere. Hard to fathom. The String Cheese Incident seems to be playing all the time. I understand they are all Cheese festivals but Hulaween really is. Buen queso una y otra vez. The Saturday night set is one of the best of the year and the Sunday set with Bob Weir is going to be a non-negotiable.

Welcome the shit show.

The Park. Take a left at the playground and visit FRS in the 80 Acres near Blanco’s mermaid pool. Once this neighborhood gets filled up one begins to understand how far the silliness goes in every direction. When we talk about great distances to cover, Suwannee is not nearly as punishing as many other sites. It’s all pretty close together and there are no mountains. Take a road soda and move at an easy pace. Swing in and meet your neighbors thinking, “What do I have to share?” Remember, this is not a parking lot, this is a campsite. No one checks your car on the way in and no one cares what you bring with you. Park directly next to your campsite and live the life you were meant to live. This is SOSMP. Music lives here.

Abandon hope all ye who enter here, Suwannee Hulaween. photo by Jason Nail

The River. It might be the only bath you take all week, but don’t wait till Sunday to visit the beach hippies at the river. Who knows what kind of trouble you’ll run into. Maybe if you sling that leg out somebody will give you a golf cart ride. Howdy sailor, going my way? Always be on the lookout for Pedro’s grit and slide.

The Bat House. Perched on the central crossroads in the middle of the Pine Field, the daily exodus of the bats from their perch into the forest is a spectacular show. Stand directly in their path and feel the sprinkles as little specs of guano rain upon ye.  Watch red shoulder hawks swoop in for a snack the river of bats. This is a special part of the Suwannee experience so don’t miss out.

Find Kendall and Kendall down by the Lost Pavilion on the way to the river. Some folks who shower enjoy those facilities down there the best of all of them. Lucienda enjoyed showering, she really did. But showers for her were usually relegated to times when things were particularly docile or for medicinal reason like a serious need to get clean and “bounce back” in a formidable way.

Spirit Lake at Suwannee Hulaween.
Spirit Lake at Suwannee Hulaween.

This is the house that Bear Creek built. WANEE, Roots and many more of the best camping/music festivals anywhere. Hulaween is in that category. This is the home of VASSAR Sunday and one of the most serious musical legacies anywhere. Generations of music festival lovers have made the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park their home. She remembered back when the drum circle in the far end of the field would start up as soon as the music on stage ended. Many were the nights she would fall asleep in her own golf cart only to wake up in someone else’s. Curiouser and curiouser. Honest mistake your honor.

After pride cometh the fall and Clayopheus would be proud of you. Shawsville, Virginia thugs have always created a wide footprint at Hulaween. It’s true. They would show up with venison stew and morels ready  to absolutely stomp on the terra. Lord Buckley said that. Then, in an unconscious stupor, they would roll off the roof of their heavy Chevy into the soft Florida dirt. Rinse and repeat.

KMag, Suwannee Hulaween 2017.

Hobo Kamp. The ideas for the earliest versions of the homestead herald back to Sarah F. and Lightnin’ and although they always try to camp at the Poncho Tree, Buddha reminds us that the only thing that’s permanent is impermanence. Another great thing about SOSMP is that just about every campsite is shady and delicious, like you. From Hippy Trail to the Bird Sanctuary, no matter how much money you have, everyone gets the same great spot. Swing by Kafe Bonheur make the acquaintance of Mateo, lil D-Big Arrel and the rest of Cheese. Love. Sauce, The Kitty Titties and the literal gutter of the Pine Field. Kick of your shoes and sit a while.

Music. Saturday date night with Cheese is one of the banginest sets of the year. It usually involves some kind of covers set and a visual spectacle hard that’s hard fathom. Sploosh. Bro, do you even Tipper? Your inflatable couch appears to have a slow leak. Black Pumas, Clozzee, Umphries McGee, Greensky, Of the Trees, Sublime, Chris Lake, Cory Wong, Daily Bread, G Jones, A Hundred Drums, Andy Frasco, Sam Grisman Project (Ed. note-this will be my first show #happyface), Manic Focus, The Ain’t Sisters, Kamp Happiness Family Jam and more than you can get to. The next time someone whines about festival ticket prices, show them this lineup. The math checks out brocephus.

Right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pedro’s Trash Heap of Whimsy. Rumor has it that Pedro the Greasiest Mexican brought zero trinkets back from Burning Man for the Circle K? Hagglin’ Post or even her trash heap but fear not, the word on the street is that Lucy and the Lemon Merchant brought plenty of Phish schmatta back from Mondegreen. Get ready Trey fans. He sees you.

Many people who wander are completely lost. Sometimes it’s alright to get turned around in your own forest. You never know who you’ll meet. If things get weird, sit down for a minute in the forest, take a tick and pull the soldiers back together. After that, skip to and continue forward. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. And remember, if you’re lost and always running into the same campsites all night, take a different path at the next crossroads.

Spirit Lake, Suwannee Hulaween 2017. Photo by Jason Nail

Visit the Suwannee Hulaween site for tickets, information and all the virtual goodness that’s fit to fill a croaker sack. Keep up with current events on their social media sites at Facebook, Instagram and X. Revisit some of the frivolity of yesteryear in the depths of the wranglers archives. 2023 Immersion Therapy, Ten Years of Hulaween, 2022 Dance of the Monkey Kings, 2021 Cheese. Love. Sauce., 2018 Kamp Ha Penis Dumpster Fire. This is the way.

For many, this is one of the cornerstones music festivals of the year and being from this part of the world, we serve as stewards of the forest and party. Find Kamp Happiness in the Pine Field and if you be a wheeler-dealer, bring your tradeablers for the Circle K? Hagglin’ Post. See you in the forest. Keep up with the wranglers as we evolve south for the winter months and begin to create the 2025 dance card and our ten year anniversary, whirlwind of disaster tour.

Now you know what you’re in for Brie. Hulaween on your horizon and you will be forever changed. Look for the kinfolk at the Kamp Happiness Hobo Kamp at the Poncho Tree. I think you remember where it is. As for me, I’ve got to go, the chickens are chasing the Chihuahua and one of the youngins is stuck in the well again. See you soon. I love you.

 

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FloydFest Horizon “24: The Birth of FestivalPark https://wookwranglers.com/floydfest-horizon-24-the-birth-of-festivalpark/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=floydfest-horizon-24-the-birth-of-festivalpark Thu, 29 Aug 2024 01:48:13 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=6525 Credibility somewhat intact. Mildly tattered reputation none the worse. This party was overdue and right...

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Credibility somewhat intact. Mildly tattered reputation none the worse. This party was overdue and right on-time.                    Weary traveler, welcome back to FloydFest.

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, this music and artisan camping festival has been host to the best in live entertainment for over twenty-years. The award-winning festival has been showcasing live art for folks in the shadow of the Appalachians with music, crafts and everything else in a primitive camping environment, or in some cases, downright primordial. Welcome to FloydFest Horizon “24: The Birth of FestivalPark. Thankfully, as warrior poets we are above petty comparisons and you’ll find no hubris here. Check your ego at the door.

Chanterelle was back in the proverbial pocket and everywhere she turned she ran into friends from Virginia and North Carolina. Getting all these people in one place is what FloydFest meant to her. Yes, things are quiet in your campsite because all your friends are out working. But have no fear. Headliners Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Black Puma’s, Charlie Crockett and Sierra Ferrell showcased a stellar pack of live musicians along with The Wooten Brothers, Keller Williams, Sexbruise?, The Heavy Heavy, Maggie Rose, Leftover Salmon, Circles Around the Sun, Neighbor, EGGY, Town Mountain, WAR CHILE, Caitlyn Krisco, the Dead Reckoning and so many more. It was a weekend of brutally good, nonstop live music, frivolity and silly fun. Welcome home bad boy. This is FloydFest Horizon “24: The Birth of FestivalPark.                             Music. Magic. Mountains.

Creekside Camping, FloydFest 2024. Photo by Chanterelle T. Jones

FestivalPark the new site for FloydFest, is located in Check, VA, between Roanoke and Floyd. The winding road from the 828 rolls through some of the prettiest mountain vistas anywhere. From Bristol through Galax and on to Shawsvegas, it’s impossible not to be humbled by the significance of these mountains as one of the cradles of American folk music. The site boasts several hills surrounding a scenic hollow with a small creek running through. Celebrating 20-plus years of bringing the artistry of live music info full focus via the art of the festival, Blue Cow Arts & Across-the-Way Productions have developed the new property to ready to welcome its first festival patrons. FloydFest is home and in it, a place where everyone can contribute and help the site grow and change. Professional wooks and stewards of the forest, from withers to brisket.

Chanterelle was roped in with Kamp Happiness and the wranglers media team with Four Day, Bfly and Leaux Leaux. She was making the walk uphill to VIP camping for the second time that day when she realized she had the Jello legs and her lower body was out of FloydFest practice. By the Sierra Ferrell set and a million steps later, her butt muscles had began to form and tighten. Relax fellas, the line forms to the right.

There was a time long ago, forgotten in the pages of history, when the wranglers had to invent colorful FloydFest tales just to fill the coffers. That time has thankfully passed and things are predictably more colorful each year. No need for hyperbole. Festival royalty, JBfly hit the ground running Wednesday night and forget what you know about the subtle crescendo, this is nary the slight slant of an infinity pool but rather the Blue Hole that goes straight down. It’s a new venue and occasional confusion is going to be common.

Expecting to be lodged in a Prevost X3-45 VIP Entertainer at worst, Chanterelle and rest of the wranglers media team hadn’t brought much camping or survival gear. Four-Day brought a canopy for Kamp Happiness which seemed reasonable as long as it didn’t rain. They made camp with the other media personnel near the creek, low-profile and close to everything. As usual, Bfly’s tent was constantly sliding off the mountain and there were few places to store her sundries and unmentionables.

Chanterelle wasn’t late for work at the VIP Lounge but she was doing her best. She’d walked up the mountain to the box office to be told the VIP check-in was at the other end of the park. She tried to get a ride from an obvious derelict on a golf cart, but one look at his sweat rings and mouth spittle and she was immediately convinced to walk the entire length of the park. And why not, if she was going to be coming to this place the rest of her life, she might as well get acquainted. At some point she realized she was blocked from the road and had to hop the fence and traverse the tall grassy area. She’d heard it was a protected space and not to be invaded, but she was a master naturalist and wetland preserves were one of her research specialties. Of course she’d heard stories of Stomp 76 and how those hippies really “used” the creek and few in attendance were prepared for those unusual types of waste management opportunities. Hail Charlie who came through in the clutch, pointing out the location of the VIP lounge. For everyone, ignorance was slowly blossoming into quasi-educated and moderately knowledgeable ambassadors. Be sure to watch out for the Pegans.

Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company Higher Ground Viewing Deck and Stage: Leaux Leaux knew she was going to spend many a set at this viewing platform. Having seen early photographs of the structure, she’d figured it was going to be the stage but now she could understand how this was just the viewing platform and the stage would be some mammoth structure to be built at a later day. This was all part of a grander work in progress. Merely the acorn that would become the oak.

Chanterelle had created a new hierarchy for her spectrum of friendship. Without the aid of a golf cart she noticed, over time, that she was repeatedly visiting camps close to her own elevation on the mountain profile. It was a gentle walk through the Hobbit village near Creekside Camping and around the way to Artist Camping. Once a night they would venture up the mountain to Canopy Camping and sniff out the jam circles lurking in the forest. Sunday night in front of the Depot showed the most promise for the future. That area was allowed to serve as a commons that remained lit and occupied for most of the night. It was a good place for musicians and listeners to collaborate and celebrate. Good idea. In the future, quiet campers should avoid that area if at all possible.

Leaux Leaux was the French girl who loved Billy Joel. She was traveling with her mother and when they got together, their vibrations merged into one harmonic cackle. The night before thought she’d seen a mole hole, or maybe a vole hole. She wasn’t even sure if voles lived in Virginia but this was definitely some type of ambiguous, burrowed space and she’d put her tent directly on top of it. No big deal at the time but later? Nightmare fuel. It would have been better if it had just been a dream. Hopefully it was. The mole nibbling at her underarm as she slept was hopefully a dream. The perfect hole in the tent, just above the one in the ground was not. It reminded her of the beach in Tulum and a certain crab that would occasionally check to see if she was still alive.

Floyd Country Store Workshop Porch Stage: Four-Day swung by the merchandise room just in time to witness the future of FloydFest. A slough of school-age children played gospel bluegrass on the Porch Stage. One in particular reminded him of Shane Turner as she played like a flamingo, perched on one foot. It was an easy way to tell if one was dealing with a crazy fiddle player.

Check out these offerings from visionary photographer, Cloud Bobby. Visit his Facebook page and witness the spectacle of the festival through his eyes. Also, one of the sweetest guys on campus.

She’d lost Imad sometime during the night and while searching for him she found Jeff and Crystal behind the stage eating some kind of vegan wrap. They steered her to Jeremy and Avery camped across from the VIP lounge. Their neighbor had a coconut filled with 100 proof Puerto Rican rum. Chanterelle wasn’t sure how it was different from an incendiary. Just add a wick and you’ve got a Puerto Rican coconut bomb which sounded like something a pirate might use. By the time she’d gotten back from exploring, they’d already finished the rum. Maybe it was easier to create than destroy.

Meagan at FloydFest 2024. Photo by Jaime Plude.

Creekside Camping: She seemed serious enough as she leaned in. “Here. Want some mushroom juice?” He opened his mouth and the viscous fluid hit the back of his throat with such a force, splatter shot back out of his gaping maw. “What did you just do to me?” Goodnight sweet prince. Just lie back and let it happen. Hide in your tent until the Leftover Salmon set.

Bitchin’ Sauce VIP Stage: Wednesday showcased Kamp Happiness favorites Sexbruise? at the VIP stage. The team was blessed with a photo pit pass for the first time, eliminating the need for another emotional face-off in the pit.

Family cast asunder by the unfamiliar terrain. The Asheville annex had moved in to Creekside Camping, Kamp Happiness West moved into Artist Camping and the rest of the thugs were scattered throughout Canopy Camping. Higgly-piggly to be sure. In the words of Buddha, “the only constant is change”.

Of course you got lost. You were supposed to get lost. It’s your first rodeo. Bfly got so lost Wednesday night, she imagined she might not find the vehicle by Mexican Monday. Charlie took his shift, Sexy Baby helped out until near sunrise. It takes a village and some who wander are completely lost.

Chanterelle was being a bit persnickety by the time she got to work. As usual it was Brett’s fault. He and a wild-eyed Afghani had picked her up behind VIP stage and instead of taking her up the hill to work, he gave her a lift the wrong way. Along the way he explained that more serotonin was released into the brain from cold water than from face drugs. While that didn’t make complete sense, he was sure he’d never met an ice immersion whore.

FloydFest 2024. Photo by Katie Gray.

Canopy Camping: Big Betty ended up spending most of her time between the admin building and the box office. Somewhere in there was JBone and his crossroads jam. She stayed till 3am the first night and sunrise the next night as things began to look and feel like FloydFest. She hooked up with Mr. Beautiful and dragging the mandolin and bull fiddle, the two of them took off in search of adventure in the morning twilight. It’s good policy to keep moving at this time of the day lest you want your megaphone slung in the lake. #truth

Relax everyone, it’s ok to sleep in your car. Do they have vagrancy laws in this county? The officer said, “No worries. I’m just going to search your car and as long as you don’t have anything illegal, you should be good to go.” Famous last words. Next stop, a pod with seventy-four other thugs watching Cops. By day three, Four Day and Bfly were sharing a toothbrush. Chanterelle wasn’t claiming to be the world’s best busboy but one never really forgets. She was reminded of Lightnin’ Steve Little, before he was the face of the wranglers, when asked what his favorite festival job was, he simply stated, “Whatever. I don’t care as long as I’m at the show.” He remembered the two  of them setting up the parking lines in D Lot, dancing in the morning glories, shirtless and unafraid.

During The Jared Stout Band, Chanterelle ran into Betsy coming from behind the VIP stage. She was pilfering two large cans of sweet-heat peanuts. Sexy Baby and Rachel, the wranglers Christmas Jam media team showed up for both WAR CHILE shows. Sexy baby showed up chewing on a mushroom stem that resembled a chicken bone as if he’d just walked from behind a Bohangles dumpster. “Ooh, there’s one with some meat on it.”

Lucienda had made it her life’s mission to strive to break down the societal barriers between the VIPness and the proletariat. For this festival, wrangler research and development produced original wrangler VIPness laminates in the hopes of saturating the  lanyard/laminate pool. In addition to the late-night, renegade fun, these bits of festival flair not only signify like-minded thugs, but when folded hot dog style can be useful when collecting Detroit dry wall. Several “operatives” found themselves on the greener side of the VIPness fence all thanks to the new credentials. “Sir, your laminate is not on the sign.” “Yes, obviously it’s not on the sign. It’s on the updated sign.”

Arlia and Kateesha, VIP Stage, FloydFest 2024. Photo by Lucienda Rosalita.

Chanterelle lost her peach moon rocks during ingress but they still had some 828 and some kush cake leftover from Michigan. During her first shift her betters gave her three hours off in the middle of the day. Do what you want but this is FloydFest. She knew if she went wandering it was very possible she would eventually get into some shenanigans with like-minded folks.

Four Day recalled the story of the abusive boyfriend whose job on the horse farm included epididymal sperm harvesting. Apparently there is no shelf life on revenge.

They stood next to each other at the VIP showers. One wore a t-shirt that read, “Lebowski 24, This aggression will not stand.” and the other wore a Claypool/Strings 24. They ultimately agreed it was unwise to get political at the festival but in the end, it was good and fair that both parties were represented.

Mama Jill told the story that the story of how the groupie eventually becomes the groadie, part groupie part roadie. Still giving up the booty but at some point, carrying amps. “For somebody that has absolutely no idea what’s going on you sure do have plenty of opinions.”

Delta Lot Memories. There was a report of Wilbur eating Mike helms bottom teeth and showing off the prettiest dog smile you ever did see. Some people are just not cut out to live onsite.

Please don’t fuck the vibe. Chanterelle said, Ben shot back, “To be honest, I cannot make that promise. I’m very attracted to the vibe.”

At some point behind VIP, Chanterelle noticed Tyler and Bertha parked in Artist Camping. Having found earlier success cutting across the protected ditch she thought she’d try it again. Two steps in she realized she’d make an grave error as she sunk, waist deep, down into the Vietnamese ditch water. It would be the last lesson she’d require and from then forward she would gladly take the long way around. Before she’d been dealing with ticks and now she could add leeches to her wildlife bingo card.

Go for Sam.

Big Betty drug herself up the mountain in hopes of finding a pickin’ circle somewhere near the crossroads. They found Jeremiah there sucking on his harmonica. They’d been Delta Lot neighbors during his first FloydFest, too long ago to remember. She met up with Mr. Beautiful and his mandolin just out looking for trouble. Never forget, at it’s core, FloydFest is a pickin’ festival. Don’t forget, capos are mandatory in Virginia. Why play in G when A flat is available?

Lucy woke up with a tick dug into her skull. She tried using a grapefruit spoon to dig the proboscis out of her fontanel. She was trying to stay ahead of the rash. No one would allow her to blame her bad behavior on Bell’s Paulsy. With her luck, it was a Lone Star and the Alpha-gal would cut her off from any more of Crystal’s jello shots. With a large cavity in her scalp, she was reminded of what the Roanoke witches chanted when they burned a tick. “The power of Christ compels you!” Nichole screamed that you couldn’t flick a tick of one’s back to which he calmly reminded her it could be done in transit.

Who would know where to go? Would Sexy Baby sleep all day without Big Betty to roust him up? Important questions for important people. Welcome to the thirteenth floor, Research and Development.

Canopy Grovestage: Kamp Happiness West popped up in Artist Camping along with the WAR CHILE crowd. Shirtless drummers and mountain folk sleeping in tree hammocks. When Craig County folks are around, you can just feel a different tingle in the wind.

View from the wranglers media tent, FloydFest 2024. Photo by Jason Nail.

This was everyone’s introduction to FestivalPark and continued imagination will be the driving force in its growth because here, in this secluded hollow in the hills, anything is possible. There was still a mountain of lingering questions that hadn’t yet been answered but in the end, some mysteries are best left unsolved.

Monday morning Bfly packed up in the rain. They would forgo their usual late checkout and head for the nearest Mexican restaurant. Her feet were bruised from a weekend of bouldering and what must have been poison ivy. Chanterelle had also been up all night, following Big Betty from jam to jam, eating the rest of Imad’s lost Sunshine Daydream. Her adventures took her to the Depot which apparently had no “quiet hours” allowing the family jam to stumble through forgotten lyrics until sunrise. Look for Kamp Happiness somewhere hear these crossroads next year.

Thanks to FloydFest for, once again keeping the wranglers in the fold. Their operation is one of the classiest in the business. Visit their website and like their social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok. And while you’re lost in the warren of the etherweb, stop by some of the wook wranglers social media platforms. The future is nigh. Are you not influenced?

Somewhat surprised, Chanterelle had survived the gauntlet. Small dog was still in effect. Follow her and the rest of the team as they gear up for what hopes to be a “sporting” October in Live Oak, Florida with Suwannee Roots Revival and Hulaween.

#music #magic #mountains

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Elements Music and Arts Festival “24: Souvenirs and Flashbacks https://wookwranglers.com/elements-music-and-arts-festival-24-souvenirs-and-flashbacks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=elements-music-and-arts-festival-24-souvenirs-and-flashbacks Thu, 15 Aug 2024 17:32:10 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=6699 Welcome back to Long Pond, Pennsylvania and Pocono International Speedway for the annual Elements Music...

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Welcome back to Long Pond, Pennsylvania and Pocono International Speedway for the annual Elements Music and Art Festival. On August 9-11, 2024, headliners Deserts Hearts, Of the Trees, Illenium, Kaskade, Green Velvet, Patrick Topping, Excision, Liquid Stranger, Slander, Clozee, Fly With Us, LSDream, Chris Lake, Subtronics and The Disco Biscuits were joined by Boogie T, Disco Lines, Inzo, Barclay Crenshaw, The Floozies, Troyboi, G Jones, lespecial, Sunsquabi and so many more for an explosion of sound and color that lasted all weekend and beyond. Take only memories, leave only footprints. What your people call corn, we call maize. This is Elements Music and Arts Festival “24: Souvenirs and Flashbacks. Stay the course, plan A is still in effect.

Thanks to uno primero White Ninja, Bagdalini for manning the store, sweepin’ the stoop and keeping the kids in line. Happy Friendaversary you silly thug. It might not have been a rainy summer but the wranglers have been rained on at about every festival in the loop. Vibra Urbana, Solshine Reverie, Electric Forest, Alabama Deep Sea Rodeo,  and FloydFest all spread a little rain into the festival story. Watch out for the hippie who hopes for just a little rain to settle down the dust. Skip to sinking in the mud hole wearing Pine Island Reeboks. Be careful what you wish for grasshopper.

Waiting in line Thursday, Bagdalini donned his camouflage security vest and shot in lickity quickity. Fifteen minutes later he was getting a golf cart ride up to Emma’s camp. Membership has its privileges.

Try as she did, Hurricane Debby did little to dampen the spirits of the festivarians in attendance. While Friday’s rains did slow down the pace of the ingress and cancel some shows, the campsites fell back on the old reliables, skim boarding and parties with new friends under lowered canopies. Nice to meet you. Welcome to the Dab Lab.

Before the blush was on the bloom he would come to understand the truth, “Loose lips sink ships”. The Elements Immersive Experience was in full swing as powerful winds whipped through campgrounds making short work of canopies and unstaked tents. High velocity rains spat sideways as nature reminded us who really was sky daddy.

With safety in mind, the venue closed down Thursday and Friday. The Vibe Village however would proudly raise its middle finger to the Pocono skies and rage on. Everything after that was a haze of flesh and blinking lights. Some mysteries are best left unsolved.

Bagdalini hoped the trauma bonding would assist him in finding some companionship. They camped next to a carload of Polynesian women, one who appeared extremely interested in his bad humor. She was a hooper who liked to wiggle while he played the guitar. Things were looking up. They walked in together as Wreckno and Diceman each threw down solid sets at the water stage. He assumed that when she got lost somewhere behind front of house, it was by design.

Gambling is an addiction and try as she might, Emma could not stay away from Frick Frack Blackjack. She’d cleaned them out at Secret Dreams and was closing in for the kill. A few more weekends like that and she would be holding the mortgage on the red and white striped tent. It was only a matter of time. Her Ain’t Lucy only cared about the briefcase of souls. It was likely somewhere behind the table and she would keep a keen eye open. Who collects from the Soul Collector? Indeed.

Courtesy of Elements Festival // Andrew Rauner

The Bag Man had lost his wallet for most of the day but good job earlier him as it was found safe and sound in his tent. He remembered having a similar problem at Solshine Reverie and a pattern could now be easily recognized. Clozee closed out the Water Stage Saturday night with a pounding set after LSDream. Elements always seems to bring the A game in terms of production. It can’t be denied.

Lightcodes by LSDream was super rejuvenating Sunday morning after Saturday night swishies. A surprise Sunday afternoon set of Barclay Crenshaw throwing down some drum and bass while Lucienda slammed Fosters, or what her father called oil cans.

Visit more wrangler fun with last year’s wrap-up with Beievers of Elements “24.

Visit the Elements website and lurk shadowed halls of their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. The internet is real. Welcome to the simulation. Are you even real?

Thanks to Elements Music and Art Festival for allowing the wranglers to be involved for the second year. The word immersive comes to mind when pondering this festival. It is truly a mushroom cloud of pounding bass and blinding sparkles.

Thank you to the team from Crew One Productions who built the stages and then tore them down. Bad attitude? Complete douche? You may have what it takes to be a rigger. Apply today. Thanks to the team who left Elements and joined our silly party already in progress at Phish Mondegreen. Jeepers.

Thanks for making the wranglers your number one source for festival pulp. Keep up with the home team as we try and source the hustle for September and prepare for the October vortex of Live Oak with Suwanee Roots Revival and Hulaween. Close your eyes Marion. Don’t look at it.                                  Namaste y’all.

 

 

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Hulaween 2024 Collaborates with Women-led Collective DEF https://wookwranglers.com/hulaween-2024-collaborates-with-women-led-collective-def/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hulaween-2024-collaborates-with-women-led-collective-def Wed, 07 Aug 2024 19:11:06 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=6548 Suwannee Hulaween has announced its collaboration with Women-led Collective DEF for debut OFF LIMITS Stage...

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Suwannee Hulaween has announced its collaboration with Women-led Collective DEF for debut OFF LIMITS Stage at the 2024 music festival. The intimate fan experience will be an immersive, 360-degree stage that brings Hulaween attendees up-close-and-personal to the underground’s most in-demand acts across house, techno, drum and bass, UKG and bass. Performing acts include Azzecca, Ian Asher, Will Clarke, GUDFELLA, Bou, Taiki Nulight, AYYBO, Eazybaked, CHROMEBODIES, Riordian, Justin Jay b2b Nala, & many more.

The festival will take place Thursday, October 24 – Sunday, October 27, 2024 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida. Tickets on sale now.

We are excited to officially welcome DEF to the Hula Fam! Their unique curation and thriving community will be the magic that helps launch our new 360 experience OFF LIMITS at Spirit Lake. Their long standing history of attending Hulaween gives us great confidence and excitement in what’s to come.” – Michael Berg, Hulaween founder & co-owner

This is truly a full circle moment for us. Our DEF team, friends and fans have all been a part of the Hulaween family for nearly a decade and now we have the opportunity to merge both worlds. We’re so excited to bring DEF energy to the magic of Spirit Lake, and showcase some of our favorite artists from across the world. We used to joke about a DEF360 stage at Hulaween and now it’s actually happening.”  – DEF founder.

Hulaween 2024 has teamed-up with the women-owned and led event company DEFINE EVERYTHING FUTURE (DEF) to unveil the debut OFF LIMITS Stage lineup. Designed to be an intimate fan experience, the brand new activation will offer a cutting-edge, immersive 360-degree stage nestled within the enchanting festival grounds. It will also bring Hulaween-attendees closer to the underground dance scene than ever before, featuring a medley of the most in-demand acts across house, techno, drum and bass, UKG and bass.

 

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A post shared by DEF (@defineeverythingfuture)

Hulaween will inaugurate the OFF LIMITS Stage at this year’s event, taking place Thursday, October 24 – Sunday, October 27, 2024 at its long-time home of Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida.

The first installment of OFF LIMITS will feature underground luminaries across the genre spectrum, including Chicago-bred techno producer Azzecca, SoCal house savant Ian Asher, Filipino producer GUDFELLA, GRAMMY-nominated techno purveyor Will Clarke, Manchester-based DJ, producer and label boss Bou, Mongolian-British producer Taiki Nulight, Orange County-native and party music hustler AYYBO, experimental bass duo Eazybaked, UK-based tech-house producer Riordan, and a special b2b between Los Angeles-based house selectors Justin Jay and Nala.

Additional artists performing at the first-ever OFF LIMITS stage include Bianca OblivionBOSSACHROMEBODIES (the collaborative project between Manila Killa and Hotel Garuda), 33 BelowAngrybabyCLB b2b NIK PCrucial b2b Kollapsegad’mKnow GoodMPHOppidan, and Soukii.

The innovative stage experience will complement its underground dance music programming with pyro effects from Incendia and a Funktion-One sound system. Importantly, it will also blend DEF’s event signature production style with the singularly beloved capabilities of Spirit Lake, merging the 360-degree concept with lakefront projection mapping, hypnotizing light shows, and interactive installations that seamlessly integrate visual and performance art.

The Atlanta-based event production entity DEF has made a name for itself as a fully independent, women-led team dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences with musical legends and up-and-comers alike. They’ve put on shows across the genre spectrum with artists such as Sara LandryISOxoOf The TreesDr. Fresch, and many more.

Hulaween is similarly proud of its status as a fully-independent, genre-blending event, and it is excited to join creative forces with a company that is so philosophically aligned – and who are also long-time friends and patrons of the legendary festival. Together, they will underscore each other’s commitments to fostering community and celebrating artistic expression amidst the magical backdrop of Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park.

Since Hulaween’s inception in 2013, the Halloween-themed music, arts, and camping festival has evolved into one of the country’s most coveted cross-genre affairs. Over the course of the past decade, Hulaween has hosted a plethora of genre-crossing artists at the Spirit of the Suwannee’s idyllic grounds, which serves as the perfect setting for attendees to fully immerse themselves in Florida’s lush, enrapturing nature.

Hulaween offers a variety of ticketing tiers for the 2024 festival, including the newly-added, officially sold out GA+, which offers a dedicated lounge with a private bar, access to air-conditioned restrooms and a concierge service. GA, GA+, and VIP all include primitive camping, with car/RV camping passes available for an additional purchase.

VIP tickets (which are 90% sold out) include VIP admission, indoor bathrooms, VIP viewing areas, swag bags, complimentary golf cart rides, and VIP primitive camping included in the Mummy and Werewolf VIP options. The WitchVampireGoblin, and Zombie VIP packages are all sold out.

Secure your 2024 passes for Hulaween now! Explore all available ticketing options right here.

HULAWEEN 2024 OFF LIMIT STAGE LINEUP (A-Z) 33 Below, Angrybaby, AYYBO, Azzecca, Bianca Oblivion, BOSSA, Bou, CLB b2b NIK P, CHROMEBODIES, Crucial b2b Kollapse, Eazybaked, gad’m, GUDFELLA, Ian Asher, Justin Jay b2b Nala, Know Good, MPH, Oppidan, Riordan, Soukii, Taiki Nulight, Will Clarke

HULAWEEN 2024 LINEUP

Headliners (A-Z) Black Pumas, The Bobby Weir Incident (x2), Chase & Status, Chris Lake, CloZee, Greensky Bluegrass, Killer Mike, Liquid Stranger, Nora En Pure, Of The Trees, Sublime, Tash Sultana, The String Cheese Incident (x5), Tipper, Umphrey’s McGee (x2)

SUPPORT (A-Z) & Friends, A Hundred Drums, Airrica, ALLEYCVT, Andy Frasco & The U.N., BUNT., Cassian, Cory Wong, Daily Bread, Dirtwire, DJ Brownie, Dumpstaphunk, Eggy, G Jones, Holly Bowling, J Worra, Karina Rykman, Kyle Walker, Lettuce, Levity, LP Giobbi, Lyny, Maddy O’Neal, Manic Focus, Mike Dillon and Punkadelick, Mildlife, Moontricks, New Mastersounds, Ravenscoon, Sam Grisman Project, Say She She, Spafford, Tand, Tauk Moore, Township Rebellion, Truth, Walker & Royce, Zingara

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT (A-Z) Ajeva, AK Renny, BRUX, Davezilla, Dionysus, Eater, ElephantProof, Guavatron, Honey Hounds, MADWOMAN, Makua Rothman, Mascolo, Motivf, MZG, Phyphr, Sauce Pocket, Side Trakd, Tamayo, The Ain’t Sisters, The Headtones, The Ries Brothers, The Sponges, Vicky B.

Keep up with the wranglers as we plan to entirely occupy SOSMP and commit to a frontal assault and eventual siege on Suwannee Hulaween. No quarter will be given.

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Suwannee Roots Revival “24 Adds More Sauce to the Lineup https://wookwranglers.com/suwannee-roots-revival-24-adds-more-sauce-to-the-lineup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=suwannee-roots-revival-24-adds-more-sauce-to-the-lineup Sun, 04 Aug 2024 14:39:12 +0000 https://wookwranglers.com/?p=6597 Welcome back to the house that Big Betty built. Under the Spanish moss, it’s the...

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Welcome back to the house that Big Betty built. Under the Spanish moss, it’s the Spirit of Suwannee Music Park in beautiful Live Oak, Florida. It’s the return of Suwannee Roots Revival with a host of new artist additions. Travel the world and ask around. Everywhere it’s the same. Folks love Suwannee the most. Every campsite is in the shade and nary a dead cat can be slung without hitting a clinically deranged mental patient. Lively fun to be sure. Suwannee Roots Revival “24 Adds More Sauce to the Lineup.
Suwannee Roots Revival, now in its eight year, takes place Thursday, October 10 – Sunday, October 13 at the renowned Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park (SOSMP) in Live Oak, Florida, and continues to foster the longtime tradition of hosting some of the most prominent names in American roots music and beyond. Nestled in 800 acres of gorgeous Spanish moss-draped oak and cypress trees along the Suwannee River in northern Florida, Suwannee Roots Revival celebrates community based fun, growing friendships, laughing families, and joy you get from making memories with friends old and new.
The festival is thrilled to announce an incredible batch of additional artists to the lineup. Joining the bill are Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Walter Parks & The Unlawful Assembly, Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, The Grass Is Dead, Jon Stickley Trio, The Lee Boys, Verlon Thompson, Mosier Brothers Band, and more!

This is in addition to the already announced stellar acts that includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo (4 days), Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band with Don Grant Reggaebilly, Della Mae, Henhouse Prowlers, The Ain’t Sisters, among many more. See the full lineup on the list below.
Suwannee Roots Revival focuses on showcasing established and emerging roots musicians throughout the weekend. Get ready for some one-of-a -kind collaborations among the artists performing—you never know who will give a surprise sit-in on stage (or in the campgrounds for that matter). There is an open call to play in the many campground pickin’ party sites throughout the weekend including at Slopryland, the Bill Monroe Shrine and of course, Kamp Happiness.

This family-friendly camping festival includes four days of music and dance on multiple stages, along with yoga, music workshops, a Kids Tent, and more. There will be a wide range of hand-on workshops on the Music Farmers Stage, sponsored by the festival’s nonprofit arm, Live Oak Music and Arts Foundation (LOMAF). A raffle with a variety of prizes donated by festival merchants, artists, and sponsors will be held to benefit LOMAF, which supports music and arts programs in North Florida schools, including the Suwannee Spirit Kids Music Camp.
The Vending Village will feature a diverse range of arts and crafts, as well as culinary delights ranging from healthy to decadent. The park itself is a place where children of all ages can rediscover (or discover for the first time) why they fell in love with the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park’s magical mixture of sights, sounds, and sensations that make for a weekend of paradise.
Festival Director Beth Judy says, “Randy and I founded Magnolia Music & Events, Inc in 1997 with our first festival at SOSMP.  The Suwannee Roots Revival is a current version of the events that Randy and I began so long ago when music festivals were just starting to pop up again after Jerry’s passing. We went to lots of Grateful Dead shows. LOTS of shows!  A dream was born during those Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Grateful Dead tours. A dream of a community of music in Florida, our home. A place where we put on not just a skit but a whole show! From the very beginning we set an intention of a community of love and healing and music and positive impact on the lives of the people who were there. And we attracted those people who needed that in their lives, and many of them are still coming. SpringFest and MagFest had changed and evolved over the years and now we are gathering everyone together for the big Reunion and Revival of what commenced during those early years.”
Granpa’s Cough Medicine, Suwannee Roots Revival.
It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that Randy Judy passed away from multiple health complications on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024. He was a passionate, talented, and kind man, lovingly known to many as Big Cosmo, to some as The Wizard from early Jaguar days, and as Hoodie to his friends from his teenage years.
Beth says, “To me, he was my adventure partner, my husband (then ex-husband but still family), my life partner, my business partner, my friend. We had a connection unlike any other I have ever known. Randy was a visionary and a talented actor and loved theater as well as music. His musical interests were vast and varied and he expanded my knowledge and ignited my passion such that music became the mission of our lives. The man who would become Big Cosmo was so very open to the creative forces! He could clearly visualize what was only a pipe dream. And once visualized, he could help me see it and together we became Music Farmers. We planted our seeds here at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. The festivals that we created together, along with our friends, were like our children. They were our family, our community, and our reason for being to a very large extent. His vision brought us together and created a setting where strangers became friends, and friends turned into family.”

Suwannee Roots Revival is honoring Randy Judy and hosting Big Cosmo’s Sunshine Daydream Celebration of Life for family, friends, and festival goers on Thursday, October 10th at 3pm at The Amphitheater Stage. Big Cosmo’s Band will perform and includes Tom Nelly, Charlie Bell, Ed Richardson, Brian Drysdale, Jared Bell, and Paul Wells. Throughout the festival we will celebrate Randy with stories, songs and jams, memories and laughter! Only a few tears, if any, because Randy would want us to have fun! Big Cosmo’s Band will play other sets, including the festival kickoff set at 4pm, and many others might join them!
The Suwannee Roots Revival daily schedule and workshop details will be announced later this summer.
SOSMP offers guest comforts including a general store, full service restaurant, free showers, indoor bathrooms, and water stations. Upgraded camping, including RV hook ups and cabin rentals, as well as golf cart rentals are currently on sale. Reservations may be made by calling the Park office at (386) 364­-1683. SOSMP is located between Jacksonville, Florida & Tallahassee, Florida about 30 minutes south of the Georgia State line, about 45 minutes north of Gainesville and is host to a variety of events. Please visit the park’s web site at for further information.
Tickets are on sale now. Suwannee Roots Revival offers a multi-day Weekend Ticket that includes festival admission for four days of music, as well as primitive camping on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. Children 12 and under are free if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Early Bird Tier 3 Tickets are $175 (includes fees and taxes); Student / Military Early Bird Tier 3 are $160 (with a valid ID). Early Bird pricing ends July 17th. An additional event car pass is required to bring a car into the campground. Advance Car Pass: $15 or $20 at the Gate. For complete ticket information and to purchase tickets, click away.

Suwannee Roots Revival 2024 Lineup: 
Old Crow Medicine Show, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Yonder Mountain String Band, Donna the Buffalo (4 days), Peter Rowan Walls of Time Band with Don Grant Reggaebilly, Jim Lauderdale & The Game Changers, Della Mae, Paul McDonald & The Mourning Doves, Henhouse Prowlers, The Grass Is Dead, Jon Stickley Trio, The Ain’t Sisters, Verlon Thompson, Mosier Brothers Band, Blair Crimmins & The Hookers, Walter Parks & The Unlawful Assembly, Sauce Boss, Grandpa’s Cough Medicine, The Lee Boys, Ralph Roddenbery, Kaleta & Super Yamba Band, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Grateful Dawg, Big Cosmo’s Band, Sloppy Joe, The Fried Turkeys, Quartermoon, Magic Moon Traveling Circus
For more information, tickets, and to reserve camping, visit the Suwannee Roots Revival website and visit them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. (#SuwanneeRoots). Shoot the internet curl, kitty. And while you’re at it, find your way through the virtual maze of the wook wranglers family of social media platforms. Is there such a thing as passive income?
Keep drafting with the wranglers as we return to Long Pond, PA and Elements Music and Arts Festival before the countdown to Hulaween only two weeks after Roots Revival. Believe what you want. Megaphones in the lake? Ain’t no way.

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