Words, Videos, Photos by Jen McKinnon
As the year winds down and the “Best of 2014” music festival lists hit the internet (Fest300 / FuseTV), we wanted to share our opinion on the year’s best experience, one that is happily flying under the mainstream radar – Suwannee Hulaween. While it hasn’t received the same widespread attention as some highly broadcasted events like Coachella or Bonnaroo or EDC, Suwannee Hulaween is easily a champion festival to attend. But we’re not sure we want everyone to know.
At the risk of exposing our sacred little secret, here are some reasons we feel Suwannee Hulaween is tops:
The Size
Not too big, not too small, Suwannee Hulaween is the Goldilocks of festivals. You can lose your friends in the blink of an eye, but you’ll run into them again before the night is over (unless they fall asleep in the port-a-potty like our friend Whiskey Will). Because of lack of overexposure or corporate involvement, the ticket price is nicely affordable, especially with the Easy Pay and bundle options Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park offers. The vibe is void of pretention and the stress-free environment provides a relief from the herd-of-cows feel of other festivals.
Photo via Suwannee Hulaween
The Haunting of Spirit Lake
Glow gardens, art exhibits and the like are commonplace at festivals, but none quite compare to Hulaween’s Spirit Lake installation. Upon entering the designated area, the temperature mysteriously drops a few degrees and a gray mist rises from the lake, a spooky welcoming from ghosts of the land’s ancient ancestors. No seriously, real ghosts for Halloween – those in-tune with the universe can feel them.
Fire breathing sculptures, eerie noisemaking statues, psychedelic kaleidoscopes, and a jelly dome– it’s a complete emersion into the Pagan holiday.
Photo by Chris Monaghan
The Costumes, Oh the Costumes!
You’re not seeing things – that’s really a grown man stripped down to a baby diaper. You may have experienced strange Incidents before, but none like Halloween at SOSMP. Anyone can be whoever or whatever they want, except normal. It’s a chance to blossom your inner imagination and admire the innovation of other’s creations. And as a photographer, Hulaween makes for the best pictures.
photo by Owl Eyes on You
More Cheese Please
Three nights of The String Cheese Incident (who hosted the festival) – 6 shows total, each presenting a unique experience. An hour-long performance by the side project EOTO added an additional SCI element.
The Ampitheater Stage
Any seasoned concert-goer can attest to the audio/visual quality of Suwannee’s Ampitheater. No matter where you choose to cop a seat, move your feet, or hang a hammock, you can hear and see your favorite act effortlessly. The surrounding moss-covered oaks make a sprawling backdrop for laser lights to bounce and gleam. And if you’re one of the lucky campers with a site adjacent to the Ampitheater, you can build a fire, grill a feast, snooze in your tent, and still take in the sounds. Red Rocks can’t beat that.
Campgrounds
Hate squeezing 3 cars, 4 tents and all your gear into a 10’ x 10’ designated parking spot next to that annoying group of girls who squeal all night while blasting top 40 rap songs on their smartphones? Us too. SOSMP offers freedom to set up your temporary home anywhere you want within the primitive camping areas, free with weekend passes. No hassle of lugging your belongings a mile to the campgrounds or trekking back to a shuttle after a long day of festing. And no highway-robbery parking fees. Pull up, unload and you’re done. Decide you want to move your site? No problem, vagabonding allowed. Cabin rentals, RV hook ups and upgraded electric lots are also available for an additional cost. Explore the trails (bring your walking shoes, SOSMP encompasses 700 acres) or picnic on the Suwannee River bank. Just breathe easy.
Photo by Owl Eyes on You
Didn’t bring enough beer? No one ever does. Luckily there’s a country store, offering conveniences like ice and snacks without being super expensive.
SOSMP also features bathhouses – permanent structures with plumbing and hot water (well, sometimes). Tip: shower in evening or at night when possible to avoid a chilly awakening. Get familiar with the map so you can locate showers off the beaten path.
Want to arrive early or don’t want to leave? Additional nights of camping start at about $25 per night.
The Pre-Party
Speaking of arriving early, Suwannee Hulaween’s pre-party lineup was as funky as you can get, featuring MZG, Modern Measure, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Particle and Electron. Well worth taking an extra day off from work.
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band Shares Their Suwanneee Hulaween Experience
A Festival in Florida that Won’t Make You Sweat Balls or Flee a Hurricane
North Florida to be exact, in Live Oak bordering Georgia. Cool fall nights with plenty of sunshine during the day, but not like the sweltering South Florida kind of sun. There were a couple of extra cold nights, but nothing like you’d have to weather up north. SCI followers from around the country visited SOSMP for the first time and all remarked at what a great time they had.
Suwannee Hulaween Dust Clouds Not Nearly as Bad as Burning Man
But still, bring a face cover just in case. Sneezing out a rainbow of colors isn’t pretty.
Photo by Chris Monaghan
The Entire Music Lineup – Even the Openers
Set an alarm clock for the daytime acts because you don’t want to miss the early sets (I almost overslept through Rob Garza djing the Spirit Lake stage, I would have cried!)
List of performers included Shpongle (Simon Posford DJ set), Emancipator, The Dean Ween Group, Suwannee Bluegrass Surprise, Kung Fu, Thievery Corporation, Judah and the Lion, Ghost Owl, Strung Like a Horse, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Shane Pruitt Band, Suenalo, Beartoe, Post Pluto, Big Gigantic, Beats Antique, The New Deal, Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Greensky Bluegrass, EOTO, Conspirator, Greenhouse Lounge, Van Ghost, Ghost Owl, Rising Appalachia, plus SCI and the pre-party acts. The daily schedule allowed for plenty of time to get from one stage to the next with minimal overlapping.
via Dub Era
Beats Antique, Kung Fu, Future Rock, Heavy Pets, and More Talk “The Afterlife”
Silent Disco Tent
The silent disco DJs provide after party tunes for the night owls to stretch more hours out of their costumes before catching a few z’s and doing it all over again the next day.
Photo by Owl Eyes on You
Sources tell us SOSMP has a three-year contract with SCI’s Hulaween, so 2015 may be the last year you can catch this stellar show at the Live Oak, FL location. For a while at least. Whether this is factual or not, you should definitely add next year’s fest to the calendar. Even if it’s the only weekend trip you make all year, it’ll be worth it 1000%.
Suwannee Hulaween Links:
www.suwanneehulaween.com
www.facebook.com/suwanneehulaween
Twitter + Instagram: @HulaweenFL (#Hulaween14)
www.youtube.com/HulaweenFL
Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park Links:
www.MusicLivesHere.com
www.facebook.com/musicliveshere
Twitter: @SOSMP (#Suwannee)
