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Portraits from Bonnaroo 2010

See larger Mike Vonallmen, 50, Lebanon, Tenn.
“I work for Begley's Dogs. It's the seventh time I've been here. It's an experience. I love the music. It's a different world. I've never seen a fight. If someone runs into you they apologize. The people are always so nice – probably because they're stoned!”

Photo by Saul Young

Mike Vonallmen, 50, Lebanon, Tenn.
“I work for Begley's Dogs. It's the seventh time I've been here. It's an experience. I love the music. It's a different world. I've never seen a fight. If someone runs into you they apologize. The people are always so nice – probably because they're stoned!”

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  • The Edwards Family: Nadya, 43, Ted, 43, Taylor, 12, and Jared, 9, all of Toronto, Canada
Nadya: It's our 20th wedding anniversary.(Jared) is into the Manchester Orchestra and (Taylor) wants to see Jay-Z. And we brought an RV. We are totally not roughing it.”
Jared: “We waited in line for six hours!”
Nadya: “Actually eight.”
Ted: “They didn't believe it would be this hot.”
Jared: “I haven't worn a shirt in two days!”
  • Danielle Dolan, 17, and Mackenzie Graville, 17, of St. Louis, Mo.
Graville: “I expected it to be chill like Woodstock, but it's better than I expected.”
Dolan: “And there are so many happy people.”
  • Dave Stepp, 36, Philadelphia, Pa.
“It's my summer thing. I've been here eight times. I wouldn't miss it for the world. If it's hot I sleep or drink beer. If I get tired of this band I go see another. The only problem is lots of bands I like are playing at the same time. I'd like it better if they could schedule it around me.”
  • Faith Colwell, 25, Viper, Ky., and David Warren, 25, of Campton, Ky.
Warren: “We've been wanting to come for forever and it's the closest festival to us.”
  • Beata 'Bee' Szczypek, 24, Toronto€ '€œThe main reason I came was for Conan. I drove all the way for Conan for my bucket list. I was in line at 7:30 in the morning. When he finished the encore he saw my sign and gave me a handshake. It's still fresh. I'm not washing it for a little while.'
  • Carli Shannon, 20, Sarah Hammer, 20, Peigen Drummond, 20, all of Layfayette, La.
Hammer: “I'm still trying to wrap my head around how big it is. It's huge.” Shannon: “I feel rejuvenated, even though it is getting hot.”
  • Chase Luddeke, 27, Boone, N.C.
“I came for the music and to see old friends I haven't seen in a while. It's a good chance to get away and everybody is here to have a good time. That's a good thing.”
  • Yvette Ramirez, 24, Chicago
“There were a lot of bands I wanted to see. I've never done anything like this before. I did Lollapalooza (in Chicago), but people are nicer here.”
  • Max Fishkin, 20, Justin Russikoff, 20, both of Springfield, N.J.
Fishkin: “The drive was 15 hours, but it was definitely worth it.”
Russikoff: “It IS really hot.”
  • Josh Harrison, 21, Lili Matos, 20, both of Plano, Texas
Harrison: “We've been planning on coming for three years.”
Matos: “It's awesome ... Bring a shower and rain boots.”
Harrison: “Just forget about being clean.”
  • Jay Brantley, 27, Layfayette, La.
“You have mountains here and that freaks the (expletive) out of us! My ears popped and that was weird ... It's great atmosphere. There are more medics than police and that's all because of the heat.”
  • Anna Quintero, 20, and Rachael Rogers, 20, both of Baltimore, Md.
Rogers: “She came last year.”
Quintero: “And I told me how amazing it was.”
Rogers: “I haven't even been here that long and it's already been one of the most amazing things I've ever done. I wish I could live here ... Who cares if you have to use the Porta Potty?”
  • Jennifer Osei, 30, and Josh, Heltsley, 30, both of Indianapolis, Ind. Neither have been to Bonnaroo before.
Osei: “Wow. It's unbelievable. It's a lot of people, but the attitude is so nice.”
  • Katherine McCollough, 20, Merle's Inlet, S.C. McCollough volunteers with the trash and recycling program.
“I wanted to go to Bonnaroo last year, but I didn't have the money. Then I talked to friends who volunteered. I came back this year because I had such a good time last year. I definitely don't come here for the weather.”
  • Mike Vonallmen, 50, Lebanon, Tenn.
“I work for Begley's Dogs. It's the seventh time I've been here. It's an experience. I love the music. It's a different world. I've never seen a fight. If someone runs into you they apologize. The people are always so nice – probably because they're stoned!”

There's something about 90 degree heat, portable toilets, mud, camping and lots of music that brings the people of the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival together. Everyone who stopped to have their portraits taken for the festival agreed that there were few complaints and enough good vibes to go around – even for a crowd of 75,000.

Text by Wayne Bledsoe
Photos by Saul Young

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