*Birds chirp* *Guitar strings start to rattle* *Yawns* The sun is waking up, along with the rest of the “dirty hippies” lying in their tents, smiling as they hear Grateful Dead’s “Sugar Magnolia” being played by people doing their morning walk to wake the campers. The fire sets with a low crackle from the night before, and dampened tents begin to unzip. It usually takes several minutes for the cricks and cramps from the previous night’s sleep to go away, but it’s worth it.
Thursday is the first day, full of excitement as everyone starts to arrive and fill the remaining campsites. Thursday is also the rainiest of rainy days, the cold day, the ultimate patience test. Despite how brutal that sounds, the sun never fails to redeem the ugly weather with a beautiful, warm weekend.
You’ll never see anything like the dramatic dancers losing themselves in front of the stages, day in and day out. Regardless of the band playing, someone, somewhere, will thoroughly enjoy the sounds of the music. To be able to fully express yourself however you desire is beyond fulfilling. Shakori features many different stages, dance tents, and yards for the feet to lose control.
Mud, get used to it. A Shakori without mud is unheard of, due to the annual downpour. You’re best off with rain boots or bare feet, depending on the day. There’ll be mud in your tent, mud on your clothes, mud between your toes and everywhere else God knows: embrace it.
It doesn’t matter if you go with friends, with someone special or alone, meeting beautiful souls is inevitable. Smiles, hugs and compliments fill the atmosphere at all times. If it’s not your first time, there’s no doubt you’ll come across people from the year before. It’s fun, meeting new people, hearing where they’re from, what made them come to little Grassroots, how long they’re staying and maybe even visiting their camp sites.
Four days in the woods, filled with painted faces, friendly people and irreplaceable melodies may not be for everyone, but only those who haven’t gone yet. Shakori is no big festival, yet it owns a big spot in many hearts; I speak from experience.
—By Jessie Craig