Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival
Encyclopedia
Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival is a four-day music festival
held in early June at Mulberry Mountain near Ozark, Arkansas
. The festival has been held annually since 2004.
Named for the Wakarusa River
, the festival was first held at Clinton State Park
immediately outside of Lawrence, Kansas
. It moved to its present location, just outside of Fort Smith
and Fayetteville, Arkansas
in 2009. Activities other than music included disc golf
, yoga
, hiking
, and swimming in The Mulberry River.
Since its inception in 2004, the festival has grown dramatically with almost 60,000 tickets sold in 2006. The 2010 Wakarusa festival sold out a few days before the festival (est. 18,000 attendees). The festival is known for an eclectic mix of music and has featured artists like Grammy award winners The Flaming Lips
, Wilco
, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
. Along with other national known touring artists STS9
, Ben Harper
, Neko Case
, The Black Keys
, Ben Folds
, O.A.R.
, The String Cheese Incident, My Morning Jacket
, Gov't Mule
, Slightly Stoopid
, Umphrey's McGee
, The John Butler Trio, The Disco Biscuits, Thievery Corporation
, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Yonder Mountain String Band
, Leftover Salmon
, Bassnectar
, Grace Potter and the Noctournals, Les Claypool
, Mumford & Sons
, The Avett Brothers
, Keller Williams
, Cake
, Widespread Panic
, The Werks
and many side projects of members of the Grateful Dead
, including the Mickey Hart
Band and Bill Kreutzmann
's project 7 Walkers. After moving from Clinton Lake State Park in Lawrence, KS to Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, AR, the festival has continued to make a name for itself and grows larger with each coming festival season.
Music festival
A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. They are commonly held outdoors, and are often inclusive of other attractions such as food and merchandise vending machines,...
held in early June at Mulberry Mountain near Ozark, Arkansas
Ozark, Arkansas
Ozark is a city in Franklin County, Arkansas, United States, and one of the two county seats of Franklin County. It is part of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 3,525 at the 2000 census, making Ozark the ninth largest municipality in the metro area...
. The festival has been held annually since 2004.
Named for the Wakarusa River
Wakarusa River
The Wakarusa River is a tributary of the Kansas River, approximately long, in eastern Kansas in the United States. It drains an agricultural area of rolling limestone hills south of Topeka and Lawrence.-Description:...
, the festival was first held at Clinton State Park
Clinton State Park
Clinton State Park is a state park in Douglas County, Kansas, United States, located west of Lawrence.The park lies on the north shore of Clinton Lake, known for its clear water and good fishing of channel catfish, walleye, and crappie fishing....
immediately outside of Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
. It moved to its present location, just outside of Fort Smith
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Fort Smith is the second-largest city in Arkansas and one of the two county seats of Sebastian County. With a population of 86,209 in 2010, it is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas-Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region of 298,592 residents which encompasses the Arkansas...
and Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Fayetteville is the county seat of Washington County, and the third largest city in Arkansas. The city is centrally located within the county and is home to the University of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also deep in the Boston Mountains, a subset of The Ozarks...
in 2009. Activities other than music included disc golf
Disc golf
Disc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000...
, yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, and swimming in The Mulberry River.
Since its inception in 2004, the festival has grown dramatically with almost 60,000 tickets sold in 2006. The 2010 Wakarusa festival sold out a few days before the festival (est. 18,000 attendees). The festival is known for an eclectic mix of music and has featured artists like Grammy award winners The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
, Wilco
Wilco
Wilco is an American alternative rock band based in Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1994 by the remaining members of alternative country group Uncle Tupelo following singer Jay Farrar's departure. Wilco's lineup has changed frequently, with only singer Jeff Tweedy and bassist John...
, and Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones is a primarily instrumental group from the United States, that draws equally on bluegrass, fusion and jazz, sometimes dubbed "blu-bop". The band formed in 1988, initially to perform once on the PBS series Lonesome Pine Specials. The Flecktones have toured extensively...
. Along with other national known touring artists STS9
Sound Tribe Sector 9
Sound Tribe Sector 9 is an instrumental band known for their live performances. The band’s genre-blending sound is based heavily on instrumental rock and electronic music crossed with elements of funk, jazz, drum and bass, psychedelia, and hip hop...
, Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
, Neko Case
Neko Case
Neko Case is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her solo career and her contributions as a member of the Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers....
, The Black Keys
The Black Keys
The Black Keys are an American rock duo consisting of vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer/producer Patrick Carney. The band was formed in Akron, Ohio, in 2001. As of October 2011, the band has sold over 2 million albums in the U.S....
, Ben Folds
Ben Folds
Benjamin Scott "Ben" Folds is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and television personality. From 1995-2000, Folds was the frontman and pianist of the alternative rock band Ben Folds Five. Since the group disbanded, Folds has performed as a solo artist and has toured all over the world...
, O.A.R.
O.A.R.
O.A.R. is an American rock band composed of Marc Roberge , Chris Culos , Richard On , Benj Gershman , and Jerry DePizzo...
, The String Cheese Incident, My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
, Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule
Gov't Mule is a Southern rock jam band formed in 1994 as an Allman Brothers Band side project by Warren Haynes and Allen Woody.The band released their debut album Gov't Mule in 1995...
, Slightly Stoopid
Slightly Stoopid
Slightly Stoopid is an American band based in Ocean Beach, San Diego, California, who describe their music as "a fusion of acoustic rock and blues with reggae, hip-hop, and punk". As a band, they have released eight albums with their sixth studio album, entitled Slightly Not Stoned Enough To Eat...
, Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey's McGee
Umphrey's McGee is an American progressive rock jam band based in Chicago whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation", or "improg" ....
, The John Butler Trio, The Disco Biscuits, Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation is a Washington, D.C. based recording artist and DJ duo consisting of Rob Garza, Eric Hilton, and their supporting artists, including current drummer Jeff Franca...
, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Yonder Mountain String Band
Yonder Mountain String Band
The Yonder Mountain String Band is an American progressive bluegrass group from Nederland, Colorado. Composed of Dave Johnston, Jeff Austin, Ben Kaufmann, and Adam Aijala, the band has released five studio albums and several live recordings to date.- History :The band's history stretches back to...
, Leftover Salmon
Leftover Salmon
Leftover Salmon is a jam band from Boulder, Colorado, formed in 1989. Their unique blend of bluegrass, rock, country, and Cajun/Zydeco, which the band calls "Polyethnic Cajun Slamgrass", has found favor with the jam band scene...
, Bassnectar
Bassnectar
Bassnectar is a freeform electronic music and dubstep artist, DJ, and producer based in Santa Cruz, California. He is known for his live performances and light shows, and actively supports the non-profit group Conscious Alliance....
, Grace Potter and the Noctournals, Les Claypool
Les Claypool
Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician and writer, best known as the lead vocalist and bassist in the band Primus. Claypool's playing style on the electric bass mixes tapping, flamenco-like strumming, whammy bar bends and slapping.Claypool has also self produced and engineered his...
, Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band. The band consists of Marcus Mumford , Ben Lovett , Country Winston Marshall , and Ted Dwane...
, The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers is a folk rock band from Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. The band is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play the banjo and guitar respectively, and Bob Crawford who plays the stand-up bass. Joe Kwon, cello, and Jacob Edwards, drums, are touring members of...
, Keller Williams
Keller Williams
Keller Williams is an American musician from Fredericksburg, Virginia, who began performing in the early 1990s. He is also known by the names K-Dub or just Keller, when performing. Williams' music combines elements of bluegrass, folk, alternative rock, reggae, electronica/dance, jazz, funk, and...
, Cake
Cake (band)
Cake is an American alternative rock band from Sacramento, California. Consisting of singer John McCrea, trumpeter Vince DiFiore, guitarist Xan McCurdy, bassist Gabe Nelson and drummer Paulo Baldi, the band has been noted for McCrea's sarcastic lyrics and deadpan voice, DiFiore's trumpet parts, and...
, Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic
Widespread Panic is an American rock band from Athens, Georgia. The current lineup includes guitarist/singer John Bell, bassist Dave Schools, drummer Todd Nance, percussionist Domingo "Sunny" Ortiz, keyboardist John "JoJo" Hermann, and guitarist Jimmy Herring...
, The Werks
The Werks (American Band)
The Werks is an American rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio and noted for its musical improvisation and exploration of music across multiple genres...
and many side projects of members of the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
, including the Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart
Mickey Hart is an American percussionist and musicologist. He is best known as one of the two drummers of the rock band the Grateful Dead. He was a member of the Grateful Dead from September 1967 to February 1971, and from October 1974 to August 1995...
Band and Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann
Bill Kreutzmann is an American drummer who played with the rock band the Grateful Dead for their entire thirty-year career...
's project 7 Walkers. After moving from Clinton Lake State Park in Lawrence, KS to Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, AR, the festival has continued to make a name for itself and grows larger with each coming festival season.
Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival by year
- 2009 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival2009 Wakarusa Music and Camping FestivalThe 2009 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival was held June 4 through June 7, 2009. The festival moved from Clinton State Park in Lawrence, Kansas to Mulberry Mountain near Ozark, Arkansas.-2009 Lineup:...
- 2008 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival2008 Wakarusa Music and Camping FestivalThe 2008 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival was held June 6 through June 8. Due to thunderstorms, some acts, such as Emmylou Harris were canceled.-2008 Lineup:...
- 2007 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival2007 Wakarusa Music and Camping FestivalThe 2007 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival was a festival that was held from June 7 through June 10.-2007 Lineup:On June 7, the artists that performed were BoomBox, Crooked Still, Delta Nove, Dubconscious, Guse, Earl Greyhound, Kan'Nal, Motet, New Mastersounds, Outformation, Perpetual Groove,...
- 2006 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival2006 Wakarusa Music and Camping FestivalThe 2006 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival was held June 8 through June 11.The festival continued its growth selling just under 60,000 tickets with 80% of attendees coming from outside Kansas. With the increase number of festival goers came an increase in the number of bands and stages...
- 2005 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival2005 Wakarusa Music and Camping FestivalThe 2005 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival was held June 16 through June 19.After losing money the first year, Wakarusa returned with more bands and stages. The festival more than double the previous year with over 50,000 people attending and over 100 vendors. The festival also improved its...
- 2004 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival2004 Wakarusa Music and Camping FestivalThe 2004 Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival was held June 17 through June 20.The first Wakarusa festival took place in 2004 including over 70 bands from across the musical spectrum on three stages. The festival did suffer many stumbling blocks...