6 Harmony Park Traditions to Share with Infrasound
In hopes to unite Infrasound with Harmony Park, crossover attendees share their favorite Harmony Park traditions that they would like to see live on at Infrasound 2019 while the Bliss Junkies are away.
Infrasound Music Festival has called a couple different places home. The underground dubstep and bass festival began in Houston, MN, then it moved to camp NCN in Black River Falls, WI. After a while, the festival relocated to Highbridge ,WI up until last year. This weekend, Infrasound will reside at Harmony Park Music Garden in Geneva, MN.
Over the last 20 years, Harmony Park has been home to Wookiefoot and the band’s strong following of Bliss Junkies. Harmony Park host’s Shangri-La Music Festival, family friendly festival, Project Earth and Revival. The band has created a multigenerational community of people who return to the park every year to “be fearless and play.”
Alex Toffler, organizer of Infrasound, shared on Facebook that hosting Infrasound at Harmony Park has been his dream location since the beginning: he’s obviously in on the magic of the place.
The Infrasound line up is filled to the brim with underground dubstep and bass music such as Tipper, The Widdler, Two Fingers, Detox Unit, Thriftworks, Reso, Defunk and Beak Nasty.
The primary music at Harmony Park is collectively referred to as ‘medicine music.’ Artists bring jam, bluegrass, grassroot, reggae, and acoustic sounds with the message of love, inclusivity and peace. Many of the returning artists such as Dead Larry, Useful Jenkins, Jon Wayne and the Pain and of course, Wookiefoot have songs written about the park and experiences there. Up and coming band, 90 to Harmony seemed to be inspired by anticipation of approaching the park. The publication you’re reading may have also grown from under the oak trees of Harmony Park.
‘Medicine music’ isn’t the only genre that has been played at these stages though. Former Harmony Park event held in 2009 and 2010, invited artists such as Bassnectar, Pretty Lights and Big Gigantic graced the grounds. The unexpected noise almost cost the park it’s event license and for many hippies, their home away from home. The event known as Bella ceased and Revival was born. Revival is now hosted by staple Minnesota band, Useful Jenkins.
Site Operations Manager, JD Vanderwiel, notes how the pre-built infrastructure and accessible water at Harmony creates a bigger art insulation budget for Infrasound. Attendees can hopefully look forward to a silent disco, amazing visual production and acoustic worldly music.
In hopes to unite Infrasound with Harmony Park, crossover attendees – of both communities – share their favorite Harmony Park traditions that they would like to see live on at Infrasound 2019.
Taking A Lap/ Exploration
JD has been helping out and volunteering at Harmony Park events since Bella. Bella was JD’s first festival experience. He’s since attended Harmony Park multiple times. This year, he is the Site Operation Manager for Infrasound.
“Taking a lap at Harmony is one of the greatest ways to kill time, meet new people, explore, slap bags and basically enjoy the fest,” said JD.
Looping the entire length of the campgrounds and covered by beautiful oak trees, is a path that Harmony Park attendees use to happen across friends both new and old.
The Playground
Robbie attended infrasound’s Equinox in 2015 and cherishes seeing names such as Clozee, Ganja White Night, Buku and a Liquid Stranger sunrise set. He then attended Infrasound again in 2018 and witnessed the main stage’s “breathtaking view”. As for Harmony Park events, he goes to the park every year since 2012.
“Playing at the playground is my favorite thing to do. Swinging in the odd hours with the homies, spinning each other on the merry go round, it makes you feel like a kid all over again,” said Robbie.
Harmony Park is a family friendly festival ground which ultimately encourages everyone to get in touch with their inner child.
‘Welcome Home‘
Shaggy’s first ever festival was Bella 2009, which he credits turning him into the “festival junkie” he is today. Since then, he attends Harmony Park events 1 – 4 times a year. He has attended Infrasound three years, including the infamous ‘Infraswamp’ in 2016 where he trudged a half hour to be knee deep in mud and get down to the swampy, sub bass of Bogtrotter.
‘Welcome home’ rings through the oaks as a reminder of the park’s openness and acceptance.
“Wookiefoot, being the Rainbow kids they are, modeled the park around the Rainbow Gatherings,” Shaggy said. “Hence the “welcome home” greetings, the ‘make belief’ shenanigans in the campgrounds, the family vibe, hugs from complete strangers and the acceptance of everyone: no matter how different.” Though a first time Harmony Park attendees may not realize it, they are home. Welcome them.
The Point
Genevive has attended Infrasound every year between 2014 and 2017. Her favorite year of Infrasound is when it fell on her birthday weekend in 2014. She met many people she considers her best friends today. She has been attending Harmony Park events since 2011 and loves the nearby lake, hundreds of giant oak trees and local farm cats that love visiting people. But more than anything, she loves the point.
“I love going out to the point at the crack of dawn. I’ve enjoyed so many gorgeous moments out there when the rest of the park is quiet. It’s the best way to start, or end, the day,” shared Genevieve.
Happy exploring.
The Giving Tree
Evan attended Infrasound events from 2014 to 2018 and has attended Harmony Park events for the past three years. Both him and Genevieve referenced meeting at Infrasound 2014 on an inflatable couch as a favorite memory. He cherishes the friends that turn into family at both events. His favorite tradition at Harmony Park is the Giving Tree.
“I love the giving tree, even though I heard they moved it. I got a really cool rock that said ‘be nice to Mother Earth.’ People are so creative and interesting,” shared Evan.
The original Giving Tree located to the right of the main stage began experiencing root issues due to the high traffic of people walking around it and leaving items. A baby oak tree has been planted and rests in a pot to take over the duties of sheltering people’s gifts. It is unknown if the giving tree will be present at Infrasound.
Respect for the Community
The Harmony Park community is more than what meets the eye. It’s the surrounding farms, it’s the city of Geneva, it’s the oak trees we lay under, the soil we walk upon, and it’s the people who gather there for the multiple events a year. Each person interviewed for this article noted respect as a key tradition at Harmony Park.
“Harmony Park is really respectful. People care about each other in a family way. It feels like home. It actually feels like home. You’ll find it every fest but it’s over the top warm at Harmony,” said Evan. “Spread the love and leave it better than you found it.”
The town has implemented a noise ordinance for 1 am. The noise ordinance doesn’t mean the fun has to end early, though. It ultimately encourage attendees to indulge in Harmony Park traditions and aspects of the festival not advertised on the line up. JD is insistent that people remember it’s not just a music festival it’s a music AND arts festival.
“I think any festival there [Harmony Park] is bound to feel the love and positive energy that the musical garden creates. Respect this park and it’s rules. The curfew on the noise is put in place to ensure the park remains open for all future festivals and to keep the surrounding community cool with this magical utopia,” said Shaggy. Out of respect for the nature and Harmony Park members not present at Infrasound, please bring no glass and pool noodles or towels to keep hammock damage on the trees minimal.
“This park is sacred and considered home to so many people, including about 600 children who attend Project Earth every June. We are all so compassionate about keeping our traditions here. Respect the land, the community, and leave absolutely no trace,” shared Genevieve.
“I hope y’all will love this place as much as I do!”
And welcome home, Infrasound.
Here’s a mix of the artists set to preform at Infrasound 2019 for your drive to Harmony Park.
Feature photo from Infrasound’s Facebook.
Inside photos by Alycia Grace.
Playlist by Robbie Tovar.
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