I have no idea how many people proposed at the top of the Ferris wheel at Bonnaroo this year. I'm willing to wager that it's somewhere between too many and too many. Where the real marriage proposals were at, was the graffiti wall. Surrounding Centeroo was a massive orange wall that began only with the names of present and past Bonnaroo performers in block letters. By the end of the weekend, it was tagged with everything from beautiful art to the aforementioned marriage proposals. All the answers to the proposals, in graffiti, were "yes" by the way.
Perhaps what took me aback the most about Bonnaroo, was the lack of people at the shows at noon each day. I'm so accustomed to people getting in and standing at the railing first thing in the morning to claim their spot for the day, but this was not the case in Manchester. Throughout the day, people soaked in the environment. Perhaps they also soaked in a ton of dust, floating around from being kicked up by 150 thousand feet.
There was a lot to take in, especially from someone so foreign to the environment. I tried Alligator Nuggets--when else would I get that chance? I composted, willingly, inspired by the good-doing around me. I didn't shower, but then again, no one else did (unless they wanted to throw away $7 for a five minute cold shower), and it was totally okay! Covered in dirt, dust, and sun was the way to be that weekend, compared to other outdoor shows, where people consistently complain.
Shakedown Street was ridden with handmade clothing, artisan food (e.g., $1 grilled cheese), and more dust. Walking closer to the festival grounds was the giant arch, changed every year, and perhaps a beacon of the eccentricity of Bonnaroo. A large cuckoo clock that went off every hour oversaw the second entrance. Its cuckoo ranged from dubstep to the Star Wars theme. Inside the grounds, were decorated fountains, a refreshing water slide, and even art installations. From the giant bobbleheads to Adult Swim's quirky mini-theme park, Bonnaroo developed a distinct feel throughout the weekend that put other festivals to shame.
Perhaps the most beautiful part of the environment, however, happened for just an instant. While waiting at the main stage (a piece of work in itself--a giant towering monstrosity of a stage) for Arcade Fire, it happened. My friends told me to look up, and the sky appeared to be filled with blue glitter. As far as we could see, the sky was shimmering, as everyone else made sure to direct their friends' attention to the sky. As the glitter came closer, we noticed they were small LED lights raining on the crowd. This one moment may have been the single most heartwarming part of the weekend, and perhaps one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life.
