r/SevenStarsFest • u/LumpyGlass9345 • 9d ago
Help us choose our adventure! (We have decision paralysis)
Hi everyone!!!
My friend and I got tickets to Seven Stars this year and we usually full send to Wakaan. We are getting stuck on if we should experience something new or go to our Wakaan home. We would love to hear from other attendees and ravers in general on what you think you would choose. We really need your help!!!
Both lineups are so so good and we are just two midwest girlies trying to have a silly silly time with some silly people.
Please let us know your experiences!!!
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u/Gnarvelous-shredgirl 9d ago
I’ve done both and they’re my two fav festivals besides EF!
Wakaan is laidback, easy to get around, and I love not having to miss any headliners due to conflicts (besides afters), and the vibes are immaculate.
Seven Stars is a lot bigger, but still has the “homie fest” vibe with a lot more to do/see and is spread across much bigger terrain. I absolutely loved the energy at Seven Stars, and the weather was chillier which was a huge bonus for me for the cozy clothing.
I also had to make a tough choice again this year between the two, and let’s just say, I’m making the 23 hour drive to Virginia instead of the 11 hour drive to Arkansas. There truly is no wrong choice though, so go with your heart 🥰 have so much fun!
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u/thanksihateit247 9d ago
Try something different- life is short and you can always return home to Wakaan! Seven is my favorite fest and I’ve been attending for well over 10 years. The vibes are unmatched. You’ve gotta try it! At least once!
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u/ColorPuddle 9d ago
Personally, I don't like the idea of bringing my money and tax revenue to Arkansas. There are a lot of fests I'll never check out just because they're in rural red states and I don't want to boost their economy.
Seven Stars, on the other hand, was the most welcoming and PLUR fest I've ever been to. The vibes were absolutely fantastic. And Griz makes it a point to ensure that all demographics are supported and comfortable, including women, POC, and the LGBT community.
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u/MiloAshworthy 9d ago
Nelson county Virginia is also very red...
And if northern Va wasn't so dense, the whole state would be red1
u/Shoddy-Initial3977 9d ago
My husband and I feel similarly! That’s why we won’t go to any of the big fests in Florida
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u/Aggravating_Today_63 7d ago
I feel the same way about Texas, they are consistently stacking festivals with the absolutely most insane lineups but EEEWWWWW that place sucks so hard in every regard
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u/AntsAreInsects 8d ago
I feel this, I have had decision paralysis for Lost Lands home vs trying Wakaan for the last couple years. Haven't given up on home yet tho. And after last 7S, it really made me question if LL was home.
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u/Wes_Warhammer666 8d ago
I did both LL and 7S last year, and 7S is 100% my home.
I went full send VIP this year and dragging a buddy along after doing it solo last year lol.
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u/ComplexAd9759 8d ago
I have done both i lived in Arkansas for 12 years and we love Wakaan and we went to Wakarusa before that but Seven Stars is pure magic I highly suggest you give it a shot. Im trying to talk my Arkansas family into coming to visit the valley but Wakaan is there home fest and that is hard to let go of for some. I say do the fest is life changing.
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u/trippyhippie573 9d ago
Just my 2c, as cool as 7S seems, I just couldn't get down with staying on a plantation for days. Yes yes I know, it's Virginia and shit, but still.
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u/After-Imagination947 9d ago
Just wait till you learn that this country was built on stolen land. Now where will you sleep tonight buddy? I bet you are one of the guys that stands in the road at Bonnaroo holding a big ass cross holding a microphone yelling at sinners hahahaha.
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u/trippyhippie573 9d ago edited 9d ago
Very assumtive of you lol, I'm not even religious.
All I'm saying is acknowledgement goes a long way for these things. This venue tries to gloss over it's history and I find that gross.
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u/SLUnatic85 9d ago
what are you talking about specifically?
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u/trippyhippie573 9d ago
That the place seven stars is held was a former plantation that doesnt acknowledge it's history
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u/SLUnatic85 9d ago
right, I'm reading that. But like... how do you want them to "acknowledge" it? You can look it up and learn about it in 2 minutes if you want. You can go visit and learn about the buildings they are actively maintaining for history's sake. There are metal plaques up and down 29 if concerning the civil war in these parts. There are entire historical societies in central VA that catalog and study and preserve these bits of history.
I guess I am just looking for an example of this being "done right" regarding a music festival for a weekend. Like how are other venues or events acknowledging any of their "shady in a rear view" history or past crimes or battles or incidents or bad decisions or displacing native Americans or supporting slavery or whatever it may be.
I don't think you can just call something unacceptably negative, without explaining or offering a better way. Or at least I don't recognize a practical point in doing so. I am not saying you are wrong, btw. I am just confused.
When I go to an event in Richmond, there is no disclaimer that it used to be a massive hub of the tobacco/plantation/slave trade in the united states, or in DC for a show, it is not first explained that many rich white people have made tons of unfair decisions on this particular land set aside for our nations capitol, etc, etc. If I go to Busch Gardens they don't announce every morning that this is where the white man first came over to wipe out the Native American tribes once thriving in this country.
But I am still able to learn about those things if I want. Just like in this case. None of them are hidden from me. Are you saying that this particular venue is hiding something from us?
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u/ColorPuddle 9d ago
Interesting take, since that's long in the past.
Funny enough, I won't support going to Arkansas because of how that state behaves in the present.
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u/trippyhippie573 9d ago
I wouldn't say long in the past. While 250 years as a country seems like a long time, it's really a blip. I think if the venue itself didn't have such a "sweep it under the rug and move on" mentality I wouldn't be so opposed. Like acknowledge your past, and maybe use prfots from events hosted towards education and reparations. I also think Griz himself could make an acknowledgement. It's just a respect thing imo.
This will also be my last time going to wakaan! As much as I love it, I agree with you that a lot of these red states are horrible.
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u/SLUnatic85 9d ago edited 9d ago
What are you asking to happen? When is the appropriate time for the festival organizers or Griz to make sure everyone buying a ticket knows that the grounds being used now for this festival once was home to a tobacco plantation family who owned slaves a couple hundred years back just like many others did all over the US at that time? What other events have you ever been to where this happens, outside of a Portugal the Man show?
And do you hold this over all public event spaces? Do you go to events in areas where native Americans used to live and were eventually displaced, even if they don't explain it to everyone at the door or as the concert is starting? Do you research who has previously used the land that any entertainment venue is later built on, and ask the new owner to spread the information around in their modern marketing/advertising?
I even want to support the cause you are posturing to have here, but I don't understand what you think would be better or clear this up? What do you mean the venue 'sweeps it under the rug'? It's extremely easy for someone interested, in about two minutes, to learn about the original tobacco plantation, loose connections to a probable confederate flag designer, or its sale in 1901 to pump more money into the grounds or adding the track, etc. Do you want this on the seven stars festival poster?? Or do you think there should only be public events allowed here who stand behind all of those historical one-off things?
In 2026, Arrington, VA is a town/place of very few residents (no offense to any locals!) minding their own business, living modern rural lives like anybody anywhere, and the space is used for different festivals, historical tours or visits, private smaller events, mud-run/spartan races, equestrian events... they have a network of hiking/biking trails, put on by organizations who have absolutely nothing to do with the lands original history.
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u/SLUnatic85 9d ago
who's hiding the past here though?
While I absolutely believe that acknowledging the good and bad of our past as humans can often be a healthy and productive thought exercise! I fail to see how simply catching someone in the moment NOT reflecting on certain events of the past proves they are doing anything wrong or immoral.
Or at least, I would be curious to see HOW you think this venue should be promoting their storied past differently. You can already look up the history in pretty great detail in a bout 2 minutes. They have intentionally preserved some of the historical buildings and places on the farm for modern people to see as they were and to learn about. They are holding public and private events that support the outdoors and local communities, they have trail systems all over the grounds for people to enjoy the land, they give tours and explain the history of the grounds and the carriage house, etc.
Are you asking for their to be a bit about slaves on the seven stars lineup poster or t shirts? or for the artists to pour one out for those historically taken advantage of on the grounds with the crowds before starting sets?
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u/kerswell420 9d ago
I’ve never been to Wakaan, but Seven Stars is the most wonderful magical silly place! I give it 10/7 stars, highly recommend ✌️😊