The Bonnaroovian Code

Behold the Code. No one wrote it. It just always was and now it is. It just kind of evolved within the Bonnaroo Community over the years, out of the real-life experiences of hundreds of thousands of Bonnaroovians. We pulled it out of the air finally put it down in writing. Follow it and you’ll make the most of your Bonnaroo adventure and possibly even help change the world (in a good way).

BE PREPARED Bonnaroo is closer to Survivorman than your favorite resort (Sandals). Bring what you need (and some extra to share). Prepare for all contingencies and be self-sufficient. Think personal responsibility, which includes hydration. Just to be safe you should consume water at a similar rate at which a fire hydrant produces it.

BE IN HERE Your Bonnaroo is a snowflake that will soon melt. Leave the world Out There out there, and while you’re In Here, take advantage of your one shot to make the most of your experience. Savor every flavorful moment.

PLAY AS A TEAM Out There it’s an I’ve-got-mine, dog-eat-dog world of animals fighting and rats a racin’. Not In Here. Bonnaroo is the antidote to the common life, a real community built on helping each other, learning from each other and, yes, loving each other. Share your heart and also your stuff to contribute to a healthy ecosystem thriving on an economy of generosity. Use a buddy system to make sure your friends are doing as well as you are. Look out for those around you as well and don’t be afraid to help out which by definition makes you a hero.

DON’T BE THAT GUY / GAL  Inevitably, someone is going to do something unsafe, illegal or stupid and put a dent in everyone else’s good time. Don’t let it be you. Besides, your memories are 17x more powerful if you actually remember them. Is That Guy having much fun any way? If you are that guy/gal, our medical and safety staff are there to help you. Go to the nearest medical tent (in the Main Venue, Centeroo and located at every pod) or find a staff person with a radio for help!

RADIATE POSITIVITY Don’t just sponge up the good times, kick them back to others. Embrace new people, art and ideas, and help others do the same. Making it better for everyone makes it better for you, which makes it better for everyone and yet even better for you. It’s a ping pong match of amplified positivity.

BUILD IT Think of Bonnaroo as a giant communal art project. Now think of yourself as an artist, which you are. Come on mini Picasso paint the wall, invent a dance, clap along, bang the drum of your creativity, and together we can all create a life-altering performance.

LEAVE NO TRACE More like create no trace. All that should be left behind are the echoes of your sweet sweet memories. Just because it’s a farm doesn’t mean you have to live in a pigsty. Keep it clean, alright? Reduce waste, and help and encourage others to do the same, both on the farm and Out There.

KEEP IT ALIVE Nurture your Bonnaroo experience like a seedling and it will grow into a massive oak whose oxygen and shade will nourish your community all year long. In other words, live the Code, and ye shall be rewarded. Plus the world will thank you and such grand kudos will do wonders for your self image.

SPREAD THE WORD Bonnaroo isn’t just a show. It’s a vibe, a spirit, a way. And when you spread the gospel, you multiply the Bonnaroo community and help others slip into the groove. Go forth and recruit other inspiration-seekers who might bring something cool to our amazing little world. You’ve just been Knighted now go represent, badass.

What is Bonnaroo?

4 of the best days ever. 80,000 happy campers. 700 Acres of Tennessee Nature. 150 epic performances. 10+ stages of music. Several dozen comedians. An escape into Excitement. Music. Art. Discoveries. Trees. Fresh Air. Green Grass. A mini film fest. Friends (Old / New). Adventure. Overwhelming happiness. Hugging a stranger by accident. Sharing and Generosity. Bonnaroovian Dancing. Hyperbolic verbiage. System overload. The perfect bite of ice cream. Sandals. Fallovers. Chirping Birds. Flashing Lights. Food and Drink. Variety. Singing. Laughing. Short shorts. High-Fives. Rocky IV in the cinema tent at 3am. Spicy Pie. Memories. Someone dressed up like Teen Wolf. Holy Cow(!) Moments. Interesting factoids. Egg sandwiches. More music. Adventure. Deep Breaths. Big smiles. This. That. The Other. Hellos and Goodbyes and reminders of all that we have to celebrate and look forward to next year and in the future.