Author: Ashley Nicole Lombardo

“I’ve been coming to Suwannee Music Park since 2011 and at each festival I experience a smattering of really special moments, but my favorite by far happened at this past Hulaween. While on a solo exploration mission through the Spirit Lake art installation area, a random festival patron walked by, shot me a huge smile and told me to enjoy my weekend. I felt an immediate connection to him so I ran after him to gift him a Phish sticker designed by my friend Matt that has a lyric from the song Joy saying, ‘We want you to be happy.’ He looked at me and his eyes welled up as he told me he had just returned from the Phish Alpharetta show where he spread his best friend’s ashes, and he knew this sticker was a sign that his late friend was watching over him. Suwannee is such a magical, spiritual place and it always manages to put life back into perspective for me. Every time I visit I’m reminded that we must step outside our own little bubbles, keep our hearts open and spread love to everyone including strangers. You never know who needs it the most.”

Hulaween Music & Arts Festival 2016

Traveled from Los Angeles, California

Hulaween Music & Arts Festival 2016

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Live Oak, Florida

“This is our third Hulaween. It’s the best festival I’ve been to so far.” “You meet a lot of the same folks every year. It’s like a family, every year it just grows more and more. The people at our camp right now are from New York and Georgia. We just met this year, but they’ll do anything for you.”

Hulaween Music & Arts Festival 2016

Traveled from Jacksonville, Florida

Hulaween Music & Arts Festival 2016

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Live Oak, Florida

“Music is a sonic exploration through consciousness. It’s integration with the world is fascinating. I like to think if music didn’t exist I would create it, that’s how connected I feel to it. Music is limitless, and has such a variety of purpose in our lives. And I love Suwannee because music takes on a certain personality here. It takes everyone exactly where they’re supposed to be.”

Hulaween Music & Arts Festival 2016

Traveled from Gainesville, Florida

Hulaween Music & Arts Festival 2016

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Live Oak, Florida