How on earth do you survive the Wakarusa check in? Learn the secrets...

Are you starting to stress about the check in process at Wakarusa?  OK. I would lie if I said it is pretty, easy and fast.  Once you drive all the way into the BFE Arkansas, you have to make your way through huge line ups of cars, campers and people all heading to the festival. Keep in mind, you are excited out of your skin and can't wait to unload all your stuff to set up camp. 

There are various entrance times based on your ticket and camping passes. Your ticket will, to some extent, defines how stressful your entrance process will be.  While there are no guarantees, at least knowing what to expect will help.  Don't expect it to go fast. Plan for a few hours and try to get into the spirit of it all. Most important don't forget your ticket.  If you do forget your golden ticket, and you ordered from Wakarusa, you should be able to get a new one by going to the will-call booths and working it out with them.  

Everyone is so excited to be there and the feeling of the party is quite evident, regardless of the lines.  It is like being at a ball game when the wave starts through the stadium and you know everyone there is happy to be part of it.  Often in the lineup if you start cheering a wave will go through the crowd with answering cheers and positive energy proving how kind the festival groove is.

Gate Entry Times Based on Your Ticket Type: 

Full Event Pass with Main Venue - Wed Arrival Camping Pass --- Wednesday June 3rd at 4:00 pm

Full Event Pass with Main Venue Camping Pass --- Thursday June 4th at 12:01 am (Yes that is the middle of the night)

Three Day Event Pass - Friday Entry

Two Day Event Pass - Saturday Entry

Sunday Event Pass - Sunday Only

NOTE the North gate is closed after 8:00 pm on Thursday and all festival goers will have to go to the South Gate after that.

NOTE!!!!! As of 5/21/15, Hwy 23 is closed coming in from the North (big rock slide had blocked all lanes).  THIS WILL CHANGE EVERYTHING.  Unless they can get the road fixed things are going to change and get way crazy at the South Entrance.  So Watch for updates on Facebook, Waka's web site, etc.... Stay Calm and know everyone will do all they can to work on this situation. 

Allow me to explain the process of the check in:

There are two gates, the North and the South Gates, each on one side of the festival. The South Gate is down by the riverside campground and stage, where Hwy 23 and 215 meet.   The North one is in a farmer’s field, where Hwy 23 and Hwy 16 meet.  Usually where you come from will define your gate.  However people are always playing the odds, going to which ever gate they think will be less of a pain to get through.  

The South gate has the benefit of the river and the riverside stage, which plays a set starting on Wednesday.  Also if you are staying in the riverside campground you need to check in at the south gate. Each gate has a will-call and information booths if you get confused and need help.

Now, you are saying, ‘why do I care about the stage at Riverside?’  Well you could easily be spending 3 to 6 hours in line. I don't think I have ever gone through in less than three hours. Not only will you inevitably be waiting for 100's of cars to go in but you may be waiting for the gates to even open up. Many people rush to get there only to spend half a day in line waiting for the gates to start letting festival goers in.  

The Festival usually runs a bunch of check in booths at each gate. You will be guided into a lineup when you drive in.  If you need to stop at will-call you will be directed to a separate parking lot for those services.  Next you will get into the big line up and begin your wait.  At the end of your line up they will check your tickets, give you a wrist band, and do a security search on your vehicle.  

Security is looking for particular things.  Do yourself a favor and don't bring any glass containers, pets, gas or electric powered vehicles, fireworks, tanks other than propane, or weapons. I have even seen big cooking knives, like butcher knives, taken by security.  They are pretty strict and will spend a few minutes on each vehicle looking for things that should not be there.  The Police will be on hand if anything is found that warrants such treatment. 

The most common offence is glass.  I know you may wish to bring some alcohol or food that comes in glass, however you will need to transfer it to plastic if you want to get it into the festival.  Each year you see bottle on top of bottle piling up beside the security checks that have been pulled from cars and campers.

When dealing with security and the check in folks, the best thing to do is be polite, follow direction and answer questions directed to you.  The security staff is serious and not there to mess around. They will be curious and they have an important job to do.  The festival staff at the check in and directing folks are often volunteers or paid local folks happy to make a bunch of money over the week.  

One time, I went down with a friend that had stocked up on little chocolate bars and cold beverages before we hit the gate.  He gave them out to staff and spread the festival karma from the start.  That time we got through the gate at 2:30 am and the party at the south gate was raging. Gratitude in the attitude goes a long way.

Once you get through this process you will make your way to the top of the mountain and the festival entrance. No matter which gate you go through, make sure you make the correct turn coming out of the gate area as all those Ozark Mountain roads look the same.  Twice the crew I was with went the wrong way, once at the North Gate and once at the South Gate, each time adding 45 minute additional drives to our journey.  So pay attention, I know you will be excited, but focus for just a little longer. 

At the top of the mountain, you will need to go through another check point where your wrist bands will be checked and you will be issued garbage bags, etc.   You may have a few security questions asked just to make sure all is well.  This is your last check point and from there you will be directed to your assigned camping area -- Main Stage, RV Reserved, VIP etc....  At this point you are in and you can let the good times roll.

Best Practices for getting through without losing your cool: 

1) Don't expect the gates to open up before they are supposed to, in fact expect them to run a little behind time.  This is a huge venture and takes a large concentrated effort.

2) Bring some accessible food and drink so that you can relax and enjoy during your wait.

3) You will not be able to run your AC in your car for the number of hours you will wait so plan some weather appropriate clothing and sun screen.

4) If you like to hoop, make sure you can get to one or a Frisbee or any other activity to amuse yourselves while you wait.

5) Caravan with your friends so that you all get through the gates together.  If you want to camp beside each other and are in general camping this is essential as you will not be able to save spots once you get into the festival.  If you do lose each other in this process you can wait at the top of the mountain just inside the venue before you get to the last checkpoint.  

6) Once you get closer to the festival, especially if it later on Thursday, your cell phone may not be worth more than a paper weight.  You may get through the occasional text but don't use that as your only way to find folks.  If you have to, try text instead of calling.  Expect delays in communication. 

7) Remember all the folks working deserve respect and are doing their best. If you don't give them reason to hassle you they will do their best to do their job and move on.  

8) On your drive to the Wakarusa don't speed, watch for speed limit changes and stop signs going through every little town, dress respectfully and don't give people reason to resent our pilgrimage.  Don't give local law enforcement reason to make your weekend start with a bad experience. 

That is all for now folks.  Have fun.