By Mike Hedrick

www.wakarusa.com

June 5-8

Lawrence, KS

Named for the river in Lawrence, Wakarusa is a Native American term for ass-deep, which seemingly encompasses not only the depth of the river but also the abundance of music, camping and activities that take place at the festival. Created in 2004, Wakarusa has consistently been an early summer home for some of the biggest musical acts on the scene. Boasting a bill of (thus far) 80 bands, a disc golf course, morning yoga, and numerous drum circles, Wakarusa is an experience most people cannot put to words. The festival has attracted privy music seekers from all 50 states and, since its inception, has grown to become an established grassroots event in the outdoor music scene. With 2008 being the festival’s fifth anniversary, its promoters and organizers have hinted at several enticing surprises in store for this year’s patrons, but have also said they’re keeping them as surprises for those who show. Travel time: (As calculated by mapquest.com from Denver, Colo. to Lawrence, Kan.)

Total Est. Time: 8 hours, 14 minutes

Total Est. Distance: 566 Miles

YOU NEED TO KNOW: This is Kansas in June, there will be bugs. Chiggers are the real concern, but they are controllable. Make sure you bring bug spray for you and your campsite. If you don’t like bug spray, you can try gut sublimated (non-sticky) sulfur, which you can get at a pharmacy as a very cheap alternative. Put it in a sock and pat yourself down. Price: $$$ Camping: Yes ARTISTS: The Flaming Lips Emmylou Harris STS9 Ben Folds CAKE Zappa Plays Zappa Mickey Hart Band feat. Steve Kimock & George Porter Jr. Keller Williams Leftover Salmon David Grisman Quintet Blackalicious Ozomatli Built To Spill Buckethead Bettye LaVette Ozric Tentacles Lotus Galactic The Everyone Orchestra Old 97’s New Monsoon Hot Buttered Alejandro Escovedo Yard Dogs Road Show Porter Batiste Stoltz Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk Tea Leaf Green The Avett Brothers Split Lip Rayfield Dr. Dog State Radio Brett Dennen Arrested Development Rum Panjea EOTO Donna the Buffalo Delta Nove Mates of State Tilly and the Wall Apollo Sunshine Pete Francis (of Dispatch) Papa Mali DVJ Mike Relm Limbeck Steel Train C-Mon & Kypski Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise The Dynamites feat Charles Walker That 1 Guy Ryan Bingham The Gourds Uncle Monk Truckstop Honeymoon Dirtfoot Backdoor Slam Cornmeal Oakhurst WhiteWater Ramble Mountain of Venus Future Rock South Austin Jug Band The Heavy Pets Bang Camaro Brent Berry Band American Babies (feat. Joe Russo) Hoots & Hellmouth Blue Turtle Seduction Turbine Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad Chicago Afrobeat Project Family Groove Company Madahoochi Big Smith