Wakarusa Music and Arts Festival

Wakarusa Music and Arts Festival was a four-day music and arts festival held annually in Ozark, Arkansas, on Mulberry Mountain. The festival featured a diverse range of music, including rock music, jam bands, electronic music, hip hop music, and folk music, with performances by notable artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, and The Black Keys. The festival was founded by Brett Mosiman and was first held in 2004 at the Clinton Lake State Park in Lawrence, Kansas, before moving to Mulberry Mountain in 2009. The festival was known for its eclectic lineup and beautiful natural surroundings, with Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River nearby.

● History

The festival was first held in 2004 at the Clinton Lake State Park in Lawrence, Kansas, and was founded by Brett Mosiman and a group of friends who were fans of music festivals such as Bonnaroo Music Festival and Lollapalooza. The festival quickly gained popularity, with performances by notable artists such as String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Umphrey's McGee. In 2009, the festival moved to Mulberry Mountain in Ozark, Arkansas, which offered a more scenic and spacious setting, with Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River nearby. The festival continued to grow in popularity, with performances by artists such as Primus, Slightly Stoopid, and The Flaming Lips. The festival also featured a variety of activities and amenities, including yoga classes, hiking trails, and a variety of food vendors serving cuisine from around the world, including BBQ from Kansas City, Missouri and Memphis, Tennessee.

● Lineup

The festival featured a diverse range of music, with performances by notable artists such as Trey Anastasio, The Avett Brothers, and Matisyahu. The lineup also included a variety of jam bands, such as Phish, Widespread Panic, and Dispatch, as well as electronic music artists such as Bassnectar and Pretty Lights. The festival also featured a variety of folk music and bluegrass music performances, with artists such as Chris Thile, Sarah Jarosz, and The Infamous Stringdusters. Other notable performers included Snoop Dogg, The Roots, and Thievery Corporation, as well as reggae music artists such as Steel Pulse and Rebelution. The festival also featured a variety of local and regional artists, including The Ben Miller Band from Joplin, Missouri and The Cate Brothers from Springdale, Arkansas.

● Festival_Grounds

The festival was held on Mulberry Mountain, which offered a scenic and spacious setting, with Ozark National Forest and Buffalo National River nearby. The festival grounds featured a variety of stages, including the Main Stage, Outpost Stage, and Ridge Stage, as well as a variety of activities and amenities, including yoga classes, hiking trails, and a variety of food vendors serving cuisine from around the world. The festival grounds also featured a variety of art installations and vendor booths, selling everything from handmade crafts to music merchandise. The festival was also known for its beautiful natural surroundings, with waterfalls, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks nearby, including Hawksbill Crag and Whitaker Point.

● Activities_and_Amenities

The festival featured a variety of activities and amenities, including yoga classes, hiking trails, and a variety of food vendors serving cuisine from around the world. The festival also featured a variety of art installations and vendor booths, selling everything from handmade crafts to music merchandise. The festival grounds also featured a variety of games and activities, including disc golf, frisbee golf, and hula hooping. The festival also offered a variety of workshops and seminars, including music workshops and art classes, taught by instructors from Berklee College of Music and Rhode Island School of Design. The festival also featured a variety of wellness activities, including massage therapy and acupuncture, provided by practitioners from National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine.

● Notable_Performances

The festival featured a variety of notable performances, including sets by Dave Matthews Band, Widespread Panic, and The Black Keys. The festival also featured a variety of tribute bands, including Dark Star Orchestra and The Dead, as well as superjam performances featuring a variety of artists, including Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks. The festival also featured a variety of guest appearances, including Bob Weir and John Popper, as well as collaborations between artists, including Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon. Other notable performances included sets by The String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Umphrey's McGee, as well as electronic music performances by Bassnectar and Pretty Lights. The festival also featured a variety of local and regional artists, including The Ben Miller Band from Joplin, Missouri and The Cate Brothers from Springdale, Arkansas, who have also performed at Walnut Valley Festival and Ozark Folk Center. Category:Music festivals in the United States