We are about ready to put August 2008 in the books. This means that the concert festival season will soon come to a close. But unfortunately, I heard news about a regional music festival that would probably make a few hippies choke on their granola.

Last week, it was learned that the Wakarusa Mu­sic and Camping Festival may be leaving Lawrence, Kan., after five years. Of course, both sides are cry­ing foul against the other.

According to Lawrence-Journal World, event promoter Brett Mosiman says the Kansas Depart­ment of Parks and Wildlife is discriminating against Wakarusa by charging more for rent and law en­forcement detail compared to the Country Stampede festival in Manhattan, Kan. The Department of Parks and Wildlife says Wakarusa organizers are running their festival irresponsibly by not paying necessary fees on time.

In all probability, there is a little bit of truth in both accusations. But as a person who has been to Wakarusa, I have to say that I will be very disap­pointed if the festival leaves the area.

I think that just because many of the Wakarusa attendees have a preference to pair psychedelic sub­stances with live music doesn’t mean that it should be treated unfairly. In 2006, they arrested 25 people at Wakarusa for marijuana violations. Arresting people at Wakarusa for weed is the equivalent of locking up everybody at a metal show who throws up devil horns. Almost everybody is doing it. If it was in the middle of downtown Lawrence, that would be one thing. But it’s out in the friggin’ woods for a reason. I think they could let it slide for four days.

At the same time, if Wakarusa is not handling their business responsibly, they need to correct that so that they can keep an important festival from embarking elsewhere.

Since Kansas already has a festival like Country Stampede, highlighting some of the best country music acts in the country, I think Wakarusa is important because it puts the spotlight on musical diversity. Over the four days, you get the chance to hear bluegrass, jam bands, indie rock, hip-hop, alt-country, southern rock, Americana and plenty of stuff in between. I know, it sounds a lot like Bonna­roo, right? But unlike Bonnaroo and many other large festivals, festival-goers are not inundated with corporate sponsorship. When I went there last year, I got the sense that it still had a sense of untainted purity to it. Before you ask, no, I wasn’t on anything and I didn’t eat the brown acid.

It’s not like if you give the Wakarusa festival orga­nizers and the devoted attendees the same freedoms as Country Stampede that it will turn into Altamont circa 1969 and somebody will get stabbed. Actually, that already happened at Country Stampede back in 1997. All parties involved need to find a happy medium to keep Wakarusa in Lawrence. For music fans looking for something new and different like myself, they’d prefer a chance to experience four days of peace, love and music instead of just peace and quiet.

– BLAKE HANNON | STJOELIVE STAFF