The Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival is known for its location, campground feel, radiating positivity mantra, and of course star-studded lineup. Yet, there are some hidden gems and little-known things about the fest that many attendees may not realize until they are in Manchester themselves. Here are some of the unexpected things I discovered at Roo this year:

Volunteering

I didn’t know until very recently that you can go to Roo for free if you apply to volunteer through the Bonnaroo ‘Croo’ or the Clean Vibes team. The Croo fills up quickly, so you have to stay on top of it to get a spot, but it’s such a great program to be a part of.

For around 15 hours over the course of several days, you can be assigned to an array of departments like guest interactions, fest activities, artist relations or highway patrol. I signed up through Clean Vibes, which works to divert waste from landfills, as someone who informs fest goers what is compost and can be recycled.

Giving your time to volunteer is a small price to pay for being at Roo for next to no cost. Other perks include an earlier arrival date, which gives you and your ‘Croo’ more time to settle in, free showers, meal tokens and a t-shirt.

Camping Pods

General admission campsites are grouped into different pods, and many people may not know that certain pods have their own special events going on at all hours outside of the main Centeroo. You can walk around all of the pods for hours, as they span over acres of farmland.

There are mini stages set up where artists perform secret sets, the Grove with hammocks tied between vibrantly colored trees, food vendors open all night long and life-size games, to name a few. Spend the Wednesday night before the fest exploring as much as you can — you won’t regret it.

Snake and Jake’s Christmas Barn

A spin on the classic Snake and Jake’s bar in New Orleans, the barn is open 24 hours. It can be seen from miles away, as it’s decorated in elaborate, bright Christmas lights and covered in fake snow. There’s always a party going on in inside, and they even host themed ragers in the wee hours of the morning, like the “Robe Rage” where attendees must wear a robe to enter. This is also where Big Freedia made a surprise appearance and taught the audience how to twerk New Orleans style.

SuperJams

You may see “SuperJam” on the festival schedule and be somewhat confused. Each year multiple artists at Bonnaroo play and entertain together, usually under a certain theme. This year’s theme just so happened to be New Orleans, via a “soul shakedown.”b There was also another superjam hosted by “The Office” star Ed Helms, with members of Greensky Bluegrass and others doing a killer cover of “Kiss” by Prince.

Comedy and Drama Tent

Tucked into a corner of the fest grounds is a tent bursting with talent and entertainment that most festival goers often overlook. Big names in comedy like Hannibal Buress and 2 Dope Queens headlined this year. There’s usually plenty of cinema events going on, like a director-led viewing of Donnie Darko, or the chance to watch Napoleon Dynamite with Jon Heder, the actor who played Napoleon himself.

Roo Wall

There is a long wall that winds around the Bonnaroo arch that you can write, draw and spray paint on to your heart’s desire. I graffitied my name onto the iconic wall — it was a really cool feeling. People write funny jokes, memes, philosophical sayings and even draw legitimate art all over the wall. It’s awesome to see the finished product at the end of the weekend.

Giveaways

A lot of companies give away freebies, have tents, and free wi-fi out on the fest grounds, so be sure to check them out. Subway offered a “Green Room” with their own personal DJ, free sandwiches, wi-fi and a phone charging station. State Farm had its own mini-building that offered exclusive shows, as well as wi-fi and phone charging stations.

Chill Room

When the Tennessee heat becomes too much, Bonnaroo offers a ‘chill room’ with fake snow, inflatable snowmen, Christmas music, phone chargers and lots of A/C inside.  

Silent Disco

There’s a sizable, centrally-located Silent Disco tent. I didn’t get the chance to visit, but it’s open throughout the night, and people rave about the shows here.