Wakarusa is getting big in short order

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By Monica Banks

 

wakarusa.com

 June 8-11
Lawrence, Kansas

Wakarusa is a Native American term meaning “ass-deep,” somewhat unfitting seeing that this festival puts any patron way over their head in music. The Wakarusa Music & Camping Festival is a four-day party in the heart of the Midwest. Born in 2004, the festival originally featured over 70 artists in a diverse and eclectic line-up. In 2005, Wakarusa returned and quickly established itself as a premiere, grassroots event in the nationwide outdoor music scene. Last year the event featured over 80 artists, five stages and over four days of non-stop music and entertainment. This year’s throw down is looking more and more like the highlight of the summer.

ARTISTS:

Gov’t Mule

Robert Randolph and the Family Band

The Greyboy Allstars

STS9

Yonder Mountain String Band

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones

Disco Biscuits

Les Claypool

Keller Williams

Michael Franti and Spearhead

Buckethead

Dirty Dozen Brass Band

Railroad Earth

Bernie Worrell and the WOO Warriors

Benevento-Russo Duo,

ALO (Animal Liberation Orchestra)

Perpetual Groove

Tim Reynolds

Cracker

New Monsoon

Oteil & the Peacemakers

Assembly of Dust

The Cat Empire

Papa Mali

Chubby Carrier

Todd Snider

Lucero

Will Hoge

Donna the Buffalo

Gabby La La

William Elliot Whitmore

Jake Shimabukuro

Bob Schneider

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons

Samantha Stollenwerck

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge Delta Nove

MOFRO

Shooter Jennings

Camper Van Beethoven

Shanti Groove

Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Yard Dogs Road Show

and many more.

 

TRAVEL TIME:

(As calculated by mapquest.com from Denver, Co. to Lawrence, Ks.).

Total Est. Time: 8 hours, 14 minutes

Total Est. Distance: 566 miles

 

ALONG THE WAY: Not far from Lawrence is Bonner Springs, Ks., a town that might otherwise forever be as obscure as dozens of other heartland towns, except for the fact that Bonner Springs High School is the home of Gene Clark, one of the founders of The Byrds. It may not be the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but since it’s only a half an hour away from Lawrence, it’s worth a side-trip for a snapshot.

 

PRICES: $$$

 

CAMPING: Yes

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