As a Freshman, I didn’t know what I was getting into when I decided to go to Madipalooza. The promotional video made the festival look like Coachella, while some students spoke about as if it was any other day. I was eager to see just how cool it would be since JMU and UPB always have impressed me with their other events. At the end of the day, I was sunburnt, exhausted and ecstatic that this event comes back every year.
Here are just a few reasons why everyone should go to this amazing festival:
1. The music is novel.
Thesaurus.com helped me find a word that truly embodied the music scene at Madipalooza. It was fresh, as in new, but in a way that was unheard of. The songs were original to the bands, who had so much talent and the sounds were unique. I could hear the originality of each group and enjoyed the amount of diversity in the music genres that were represented. It made you want to dance, jump around and sing along.
2. The vibes are chill.
As JMU students almost always do, the people were just having a fun and relaxed time. There was laughing and lots of smiles on everyone’s faces because it was so easy to just go and have a good time with friends. There were blankets out and games to be played, which brought everyone together to sit back and enjoy the sun.
3. The food is great.
Pulled pork, funnel cake fries, fresh fruit, Rice Krispie treats, brownies, burgers, donuts, hot dogs, pretzel bites…no more needs to be said.
4. The activities are for everyone.
From the massive bouncy castle to the corn hole, there was something for everyone to enjoy. If you enjoy competitive eating, there were eating competitions to participate in or watch. Sports fans could throw a Frisbee, while tanners laid out in the sun.
5. The time flies by.
Because of the great music that never stopped, funny hosts and great food, it seemed to go by so quickly. I got to relax with friends and get competitive on the obstacle course. The fun times never stopped and the long time frame from 12:30 to 7 seemed to go too quickly. Although, the deep red of my sunburn tells me I was truly outside for six and a half hours.