VIDEO: Relive the Magic at the Inaugural, Sold-Out Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival

In the words of New Times reporter Kat Bein, Holychobee, guys. Whether you were a seasoned camping veteran, a first-time fest-goer, or nursing a serious case of FOMO from afar, the transition back into real life after last weekend's brand new Okeechobee Muisc & Arts Festival in Sunshine Grove has...

By Falyn Freyman

March 10, 2016

[
        {
          "name": "GPT - Billboard - Slot Inline - Content - Labeled - No Desktop",
          "component": "16971022",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "15769925",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Rectangle 2x - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782206",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "16575154",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "GPT - Leaderboard to Tower - Slot Auto-select - Labeled",
          "component": "15782207",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

In the words of New Times reporter Kat Bein, Holychobee, guys! Whether you were a seasoned camping veteran, a first-time festgoer, or nursing a serious case of FOMO from afar, let us assure you the transition back into real life after last weekend's inaugural Okeechobee Muisc & Arts Festival in Sunshine Grove has not been an easy one.

While an incredible lineup featuring everyone from Mumford and Sons and Kendrick Lamar to Robert Plant and Skrillex kept us Okeechobeings on a dynamic and literally nonstop musical journey over the course of the festival's four nights, it was the overall experience — the camping, the art, the beach, the costumes, the nature and weather, the yoga and spirituality, and of course the smiling, chilled-out people from all walks of life — that made the festival the magical bubble in space-time it was.

Of the 30,000-plus attendees at the event, officials counted only 70 nonviolent arrests and 14 injuries (none critical) throughout the weekend. If you still need convincing of the fest's unmatched posi-vibes or just want to relive the magic, check out our video coverage above, in which reporter Kat Bein takes to the dirt roads and immerses herself in all the sparkly madness. As one fan accurately sums up, "The vibes are so good it's like a Brookstone massage chair."

Until next year, Okeechobee!

Become A Member

BEFORE YOU GO...
Can you help us continue to share our stories? Since the beginning, New Times Broward-Palm Beach has been defined as the free, independent voice of South Florida — and we'd like to keep it that way. Our members allow us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls.

Falyn Freyman is a freelance multimedia journalist based in Miami. She previously produced videos for Univision and edited music content for New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Her work has been featured in Vice, Bustle, Broadly, Time Out, and other publications. She has a master's degree from the Columbia School of Journalism.

Contact: Falyn Freyman

Follow:

Twitter: @falynrose