Bonnaroo first-timer’s guide: What you need to know

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — CMA Fest may be in the rearview, but Tennessee still has another big festival weekend coming up this summer.

This week, thousands will make the pilgrimage to The Farm in Manchester for the annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. The weekend sees upwards of 80,000 people convene in Coffee County for four days of music, art, and culture.

As with any large event, like CMA Fest, Bonnaroo will have both plain clothes and uniformed law enforcement on-site to ensure the safest festival experience for all attending.

If you’re going to the festival for the first time, here are some tips to remember to enjoy the festival to its fullest.

Heat and sun

The festival takes place on a 700-acre farm in Middle Tennessee at the beginning of summer. Temperatures look to be high this weekend, with some days possibly reaching upwards of 90 degrees, so the heat and sun will be significant risk factors for all attendees.

Most importantly, attendees should stay hydrated while on The Farm. Bonnaroovians are encouraged to visit any of the multiple free water stations located in Centeroo for cool, filtered water. Water stations are also available out in Outeroo—the name for the festival campgrounds.

No matter if they’re at camp or taking in music in Centerroo, all Bonnaroovians should wear sunscreen, especially if they plan to be out during the middle part of the day. While there are multiple cooling stations and plenty of shade structures, there are more exposed areas on The Farm, and too much sun exposure could lead to significant sunburn, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

With temperatures expected to be high, festival patrons should take care to dress for the weather. Bring rain boots and ponchos in case of storms and rain. Wear light-colored, breathable clothing during the day, and be sure to bring a long jacket or pants for nightfall when temperatures dip down.

Medical incidents

Bonnaroo is entering its 22nd year doubling the population of Coffee County, and with any large-scale event, accidents are bound to happen.

According to Coffee County Emergency Management Services Director Michael Bonner, medical episodes like heart and heat issues aren’t uncommon.

“If it’s a hot, sunny time, then you start getting the dehydration and the heat issues,” he told News 2.

The inverse is also true: if it rains, attendees are more likely to experience falls and need medical attention for those. It really all depends on the weather, Bonner told News 2.

Bonnaroo also has its own medical staff, including physicians, nurses, and medics on-site. But for more serious issues, like a fall needing an X-ray or certain labs needed to be done, Coffee County EMS is ready to transport those in need to area hospitals. But Bonner said Bonnaroo does a fantastic job of treating medical calls on-site.

For those needing emergency medical assistance for opiate overdoses, Bonnaroo has partnered with This Must Be The Place , an overdose prevention nonprofit. The organization will be on-site to educate fans about the dangers of fentanyl and supply them with naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan. Fans can stop by their booth at the festival and learn more, including how to safely administer naloxone to someone experiencing an opioid overdose.

The Bonnaroovian Code

According to Bonnaroo lore, the Bonnaroovian Code is the best way to go about your Bonnaroo experience. No one officially knows where the Code originated, but it serves Bonnaroovians well no matter if they’re longtime veterans of the festival or first-timers making their first pilgrimage to The Farm.

Prepare Thyself

A prepared Bonnaroovian is a happy Bonnaroovian. Multiple days camping in the Tennessee countryside isn’t something you should jump into without some planning. Plan ahead and you’ll be off to a great start.

Play as a Team

Whether you’re here with family or hanging with strangers, we are ALL on the same team at Bonnaroo. Help your neighbors when they need it, share that bottle of water when it’s hot, and work together to make everyone’s Bonnaroo experience the best it can be.

Radiate Positivity

Possibly the most well-known tenet of the Bonnaroovian Code, “Radiate Positivity” might sound simple, but it’s much more powerful than people realize. When we step foot on The Farm, we all do our best to be our best, and it makes all the difference. Be awesome to one another.

Respect the Farm

The Farm is our home, and just like we work to protect our mother earth we all need to pitch in to respect The Farm. Recycle when you can, compost too, and make sure you and the people around you are respectful of the space. There are some events where people leave a field of trash after every set – Bonnaroo is not one of those events. Do your part to keep Bonnaroo special.

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Don’t Be That Person

We’ve all seen it, and it’s not pretty. Have a great time while you’re here, but make sure your idea of a great time never involves ruining someone else’s night or putting yourself in danger. Take things slow, be respectful, and remember your fellow Bonnaroovians.

Stay True Roo

The Bonnaroovian code isn’t just for 4 days a year in Tennessee – it’s for all Bonnaroovians, everywhere and all the time. Bring the spirit of Bonnaroo with you out into the world and let’s make life on this floating space-marble we call Earth just a little bit better for everyone.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.