Written by Ashley Feller
It won’t be much longer before its time to journey back to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak Florida. The second annual Suwannee Roots Revival will feature an exquisite lineup of Americana’s greatest bands and singer-songwriters. Headliners include Grammy award winning husband and wife banjo virtuoso’s Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn, The Wood Brothers, the legendary Peter Rowan and that is only the beginning. The Spirit of the Suwannee is growing to be the most treasured music venue in the south and after attending Suwannee Roots Revival the reason will be no mystery. The park has a long history of uniting music lovers of every variety for a magical four day weekend under the massive live oak trees. The energy of this park is powerful and is soul resonating. Although the festival is only in its second year, it shows promise for an amazing celebration of music, art, and friendship.
Photo by Josh Webster
The lineup this year is especially impressive. It features many facets of the Americana music genre. There’s bluegrass, Old-Time, Zydeco, Funk, and everything in-between. The main stage is a natural amphitheater and is the perfect place to dance or relax in the Florida sunshine while enjoying four days of spectacular music. There will also be a couple additional stages which is perfect for those who crave many listening experiences. Also, once the music on the stages has ended the party has just started. It’s traditional for some of the performers and seasoned attendees to form impromptu ensembles and jam around the camp fires. There are two campground stages which welcome pickers and will be happy to jam just about any time of day. One is the Bill Monroe Shrine hosted by Gainesville’s Quartermoon and the other is Slopryland hosted by Sloppy Joe all the way from Wisconsin. Both campsites are brilliantly decorated and will be shown on the festival map. So bring your instrument and join the fun!
The park features camping arrangements and amenities for everyone. There are RV and electric sites which are available to reserve by calling the park at (386)-364-1683. However, primitive camping is included on four day and weekend passes. Early bird tickets are available until August 31st. There are also discounts available to veterans, students, and kids under the age of 12 are admitted for free. All rules and frequently asked questions are addressed on the website www.suwanneerootsrevival.com In addition to a multitude of gorgeous campsites to choose from the park features bath houses, a pool, a restaurant, food and craft vendors, and a disc golf course. There are also laundry facilities, a general store, golf cart rental, and one of the most amazing tree houses ever seen! The tree house overlooks the Suwannee River and it is definitely a unique experience. Tours can be arranged through the park’s front office. The Suwannee River is the crown jewel of the venue. A swim in the river is absolutely invigorating!
So gather your friends, instruments, camping gear, and come have a unique and wonderful experience in nature. The music is the best, the folks are kind and the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is the best place to celebrate music, dance and art. The fun begins Thursday October 12th and will continue through Sunday. This is a fresh festival with deep roots that only keep growing richer from the incredible experiences had in years past. Come be part of the magic that occurs beneath the trees, it will be unforgettable.
