I’ve met Brett and Brian at Waka '05 (TeamB), and they were totally cool guys. Like I’ve said before, Waka '06 was a complete 180degree turn from Waka '05. I was constantly looking over my shoulder even when I was just walking Shakedown with a glass beer bottle.
And when they say “for music fans by music fans”, thats exactly what they mean. The people who put on Wakarusa are just like us, they used to travel for Phish, went to Bonnaroo/other festivals years ago before there was a big festival in every other state.
Wakarusa '04 was booked simply by word of mouth and Brian and Brett traveling the country. It is truly a shame what is happening, just Kansas officials trying to kill a cornered mouse.
Right after this years Wakarusa I did not feel the same as last years. After last year I COULD NOT WAIT to go back. Hell, even check somewhere on this board, I am willing to bet around 07/2005 I was pushin’ Wakarusa saying it was the best time ever. After this years Wakarusa I was just glad to get the fuck out of there. Now, don’t get me wrong, I had a blast beyond all blasts, but there was a nagging little something I don’t know how to describe that just did not make me want to come back for next years.
So basically all I am saying is, next summer I WILL NOT be heading back to Wakarusa, even if they do hold it. Part of me wishes they do not hold it next summer, because it could spell the end of a beautiful festival.
^aw, Will, say it ain’t so. maybe next year the cops will realize they are wasting their time and money and fuck off. i guess i’m just being optimistic. but i had a great time at Wakarusa '06 and was pretty much oblivious to the police presense, besides the undercover cops coming
by our campsite to sell drugs, and the cop that yelled at us for the water gun and then the cop that came by when spun out Wook #18 came to chill at our campsite. The location was goregous, nicer than 10klf! and I kinda wanna go back.
All I can say is that I saw one cop once at 10KLf…and he saw us smoking and he waved and smiled, and that’s all anyone, cop or no should do…
this just sounds like a fightening time…to think I was going to go to Waka, and, with my luck, probably get busted.
I’m definately heading back to 10KLF next year…just next time, I’ll go through Minnesota instead of ND…I’m willing to backtrack for a couple of hours in order to not get harassed and insulted at the border for 3 hours…
Anyway…it really sounds like Waka’s in trouble…my solution…move it to Canada…we need a goddamn music festival already, and if someone doesn’t get off their ass and do something soon, I may have to take matters into my own hands. Now…how do I organize a festival?
dude there are tons of music festivals in Canada, you just gotta know where to find em. there was one the weekend before i left called Shamabala right near Nelson.
^ I know there is, but no one you REALLY wanna see ever plays at any of them…There is a good bluegrass festival in Edmonton that Del McCoury headlines almost every year…but there is never any good “jam rock” festivals, if you take my meaning. Just one good one with a couple of big hitters is all I’m askin for…
i liked how all the camping was in pretty much one place at Waka and the lake was easy to find. but i also might have a biased because of trouble on the way to 10klf, whereas going into Wakarusa i got to arrive with a fun band of dudes and no worries.
the fact that it’s in trouble displeases thom…and when thom gets mad he talks about himself in 3rd person…balee dat.
wakarusa = best time thom had in the summer of '06…hetty vibes and like…hetty crystals…and there were nuggets too…real ones…with like…red hairs…lots of red hairs…and then…then…then they dosed thom…or thom dosed himself…or…
I had a blast! I was totally oblivious to the police shit. And the scenery was fvcking wicked. I even went back to Clinton State Park last month to camp with the fam…it looks like a totally different place without the festival. It’s rolling hills and trees are beautiful. Green fields, wickedly clear lake, tons of deer, good fishing, cool park rangers, mellow vibes. I will definately go back next year, if Waka still exists. Best time of the summer!