MANCHESTER, Tenn. - The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is different things to different people. It has become a rite of passage for young people, especially new high school graduates. For baby boomers, it's a chance to get a little bit of the Woodstock experience they missed in their own youth. It's a bucket list-item for some and for others, it's a chance to do something daring and out of character.
Friends Andy Sawyer, David Champion, Trevin Bernarding, Chad Rigler and David Knowles are all 49 or 50 years old and attended their first Bonnaroo this year. They rented an RV, making sure it had air conditioning, and traveled from Chattanooga on Thursday for the four-day camping and music event. Some of their wives and kids are here as well.
"We see them every day," said Bernarding of the family members. "It's been awesome to share this with our kids."
Champion, Bernarding and Sawyer have attended the Firefly Festival in Dover, Del., in the past, choosing it over Bonnaroo because of the lineup and cooler temperatures, but they liked this year's Roo lineup with U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lorde, Chance the Rapper and others. They got lucky with the weather, as Bonnaroo has experienced unusually cool temps and no rain.
All five say the festival has exceeded their expectations on many levels. All agree the enthusiasm of the crowds and the overall positive attitude of everyone from the security people at check-in points to the fans who sat in the bright sunshine to enjoy a show, are what stand out. Those and the memories.
"It's great camaraderie," Knowles said.
"It's very relaxed. All of the people here are very friendly. Even the staff. It's easy to get around, even though it is a large venue. And the camaraderie. You meet people camped next to you and even though you'll never see them again in your life, you have the memories."
Rigler said sharing the event with his son and being up front near the stage for Cage the Elephant are things he will cherish.
"They [Cage] killed it and we loved it just because of the energy of everyone around us. They were having such a great time. It was spectacular."
On Saturday night, Chance the Rapper and the Red Hot Chili Peppers were the headliners, but Cage the Elephant, Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Michael Kiwanuka also put on great shows. After the Chili Peppers show, which started at 11 p.m., the venue featured predominantly electronic dance music and the whole place turned into one big, pulsating party.
The Weeknd wrapped up the festival just before midnight.
Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves said Sunday afternoon that "everything has gone pretty smoothly."
Arrest were down over previous years and he wasn't aware of any major injuries, deaths or accidents.
For friends Bernarding, Champion, Sawyer, Rigler and Knowles, it could be the first of more to come.
"It has been awesome," Champion said.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter @timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.