Bear Creek Music Fest -- 10 Things To Know Before You Go

1. There's a giant bat house at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park. It is just beyond lake camping in the field. At sunset, you can grab a beverage and go watch incredible numbers of bats fly out!

2. You can camp for free on a beautiful cypress lake -- choose primitive "lake camping." Reese Lake, lined with cypress trees, is home to the campground stage, it has nearby Port-o-lets, and the lake bathhouse and showers are a three-minute walk away. Don't be discouraged by the roundabout kooky drive to get to lake camping. Keep a level head. Persevere. You'll find it. It's worth it.

3. You can bring your own beverages to performances on the campground stage, but not the other stages.

4. The on-site Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park restaurant has a good breakfast buffet. They have nice bathrooms. Also a really cool hand-painted mural of local wildlife. You can get food from the restaurant while watching shows in the Music Hall.

5. You can get fresh ice at the camp store next to the restaurant.

6. The white sand Suwannee River beach is not to be missed, especially with the big fat moon shining on it this week. The river's a long walk from the fest site -- grab a bike, a ride, or a golf cart.

7. The Suwannee River water is dark (dyed by tree tannins), but it is spring-fed and the river bottom is clean and sandy.

8. It can be chilly at night in North Florida. Then you dance. Then you sweat. Then you’re chilly. As festgrrl's friend says; "Layering -You're a fool if you don't!"


9. Bring a hammock. The Big IV Ampitheater is full of trees! The informal rule is you can get in anybody’s hammock until they want to use it. Then you go find another one, and so on.

10. Sunday night is awesome for those lucky enough to stay around for it. Check out my Bear Creek preview for more!