We all held the corners of a rainbow parachute, threw our hands in the air, and quickly ran underneath its colorful rays. As we laughed in excitement for the first serendipitous bonding experience of the sixteenth Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival underneath this rainbow bubble, a festival patron got down on one knee and proposed to his Hawaiian shirt wearing girlfriend. With a “Yes!” and love in the air, all us strangers hugged and let the Roochute float away, revealing a newly engaged couple amidst our new friends. Now it was truly understood what a Bonnaroovian is. 

As you walk through the arch ways into The Farm in Manchester, Tennessee, don’t be surprised to be greeted by smiles, high fives, words of encouragement, and endless “Happy Roo!”s. If you are new to it all, you’ll inevitably start feeling part of the family rather quickly. Even though Bonnaroo hosted 65,000 festival-goers and some of the largest musical acts right now, the festival never once lost its strong core community. Built on pillars that promote togetherness and the motto “Radiate Positivity,” Bonnaroo fosters a new and beautiful world where friends and soon-to-become friends work together to have one of the best experiences of their lives. Spreading love is the Bonnaroo way. 

How has such a large festival with mainstream acts topping its bill remained so genuine at its core? Ashley Capps of AC Entertainment along with Superfly's founders shared with guests that they all agreed the most important aspect of Bonnaroo is the community. When Capps was asked what his best Bonnaroo memory was, it was no surprise that he couldn’t put his finger on one single moment. He simply shared, “The power of music is bringing people together for a sense of community. This experience is unparalleled… It’s like a family reunion with artists, fans, and people who build this weekend, who all come together…” 

What makes this Bonnaroo community so special, making it a joy to return home to the festival year after year? The Bonnaroovians who live by the BONNAROOVIAN CODE… 

Team Players

A four-day festival can be hard to do alone, and that’s why Bonnaroovians stick together and show their support. You’ll see girls sharing glitter, friends passing around water, invites to frisbee games, free hug signs waving high, and of course, the iconic High Five Friday’s under the festival arch entrance. You’re doing great!

Consciousness

A festival is all fun and games, but it’s also a chance to unite to make our world a better place. Bonnaroo has always put an emphasis on the environment and encouraging Bonnaroovians to express how they are going to help change the world for the better. The event also hosts talks and educational panels at the Solar Stage and The Academy, so patrons can be enlightened to full Bonnaroovian status. Even this year’s headliners, U2, Chance the Rapper, and Red Hot Chili Peppers all made strong, onstage statements about spread love, peace, gratitude, and acceptance. It was like they were becoming Bonnaroovians themselves, before our very eyes. 

Family Vibes

Leave your mark on the legendary Bonnaroo walls across the festival. Engage with the For Roo By Yoo activities, a platform for all festival-goers to give something to their communites, such as a #RadiatePositivity Card Writing, "Random Acts of Kindess" Scavenger Hunt, and community-based events in Groop Camping. Bonnaroo fosters involvement with innovative offerings every year. 

This year, at the iconic Disco Ball Tower, the festival built the B-Hive Hub for Bonnaroovians to have their photo taken for the first-ever Bonnaroo Yearbook and contribute to the Bonaroo annex of The Sketchbook Library (which will be archived at the Brooklyn Art Library). Also a 2017 first, Bonnaroovians could collaborate in their own SuperJam held at The Grind in camp. Bonnaroo wants you to always share your talents to make the community even better! 

Respect for the Farm

It just feels natural…Everyone does their part to recycle and compost on the grounds and at their campsites. When you see random attendees picking up cigarette butts one by one and returning bags of cans to the Clean Vibes Trading Post, something in your heart just tingles a little. 

Acceptance

Festivals allow you to be your true self with no judgment. Bonnaroovians encourage you to be you, to the fullest.

Most importantly, what truly makes a Bonnaroovian is to…

Radiate Positivity

Now take the light that Bonnaroo has given you, and shine it out into the world!