ROOkie Mistakes: Help Me Plan the Ultimate Bonnaroo Experience for My Husband’s Birthday + Our Anniversary!

Hey, Bonnaroovians!

I’m surprising my husband with tickets to Bonnaroo for our first wedding anniversary on February 14. He’s obsessed with King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, and this year’s ROO Residency is a literal dream come true for him. Bonus: his birthday is Friday, June 13 - so the timing couldn’t be better!

Here’s the thing: we went to Electric Forest two years ago, and it was a disaster. We were first-time camping festival-goers, totally unprepared, and ended up leaving the same day due to heat exhaustion, rude neighbors (multiple people called security on them - domestic violence), and just feeling overwhelmed. We also had a long drive (13+ hours) that added to the exhaustion, which will be the same this time since we’re coming from NYS.

I want to make sure we’re fully prepared so my husband has the best time ever. This is a huge deal for him, and I want this experience to be unforgettable (in a good way). Any and all tips for festival camping, packing, staying cool, making friends at the campsite, and surviving the long drive would be so appreciated!

TL;DR: Surprising my husband with Bonnaroo tickets for our first anniversary & his birthday! It’s his dream to see KGLW’s ROO Residency, but our last camping festival was a disaster. We’re driving 13+ hours and want advice to make this the best trip ever!