There are so many reasons Electric Forest is our favorite festival of the summer (besides the epic lineups, of course). There truly is something special about this festival and something for everyone to enjoy.
Electric Forest is absolutely bursting at the seams with creativity and magic. From the moment you enter the festival you are free to connect with souls you’d otherwise never have met- lock eyes with a stranger and give them a bear hug, express yourself and get as weird and wacky as you want dancing to your favorite music and discovering new artists along the way. Attendees can wander through the trees between acts to discover numerous interactive art installations, unlock secret rooms, find secret stages, and meet wild forest creatures on their way. You can even pick up a phone in the forest and have a conversation with a stranger on the other end.
Also, the sunsets are pretty epic.
In 1955, highly-decorated war veteran Wally Wojack, who very recently passed, planted the trees that became Sherwood Forest. In a tribute to Wally, found in the forest, it reads, “Be inspired to live to the fullest, to leave a magical legacy, and to always be young at heart.” We think that about sums up how one is left feeling after Electric Forest each year. Electric Forest is one of the most unique festival experiences one can get that can change a person’s outlook on life- and that’s why it’s so close to our hearts here at CYM.
From the spectacular production and love that goes into the forest itself to the diverse range of artists and attendees alike, there are so many facets of the Electric Forest experience that make it an irresistible festival to plan for every summer. Everyone has a different story to tell about what they found on their journey through Electric Forest- how will you write yours?
“It was just after the war, and we wanted to have fun. Those kids (at Electric Forest act) like kids did in the 1950s. We dressed funny; we drank a lot of beer; and we had fun. History repeats itself.” – Wally Wojack
Peep our gallery of shots from weekend 1, featuring: Brass Tracks, The String Cheese Incident, Banks, Lotus, Tauk, Matisyahu, Jai Wolf, Eric Krasno Band, ODESZA, The Infamous Stringdusters, Illenium, Bassnectar, Asadi, Autograf, Matoma, Snakehips, and Big Gigantic.
All images by Selin Ponce
Instagram: @selin_isabella
