There’s no doubt about it. Mention the Wakarusa Music Festival, and the mental image is a weekend of great music and mountain-top camping. Throw in some fishing or disc golf, maybe cooking outside, and some more great music. Hiking, a Ferris wheel overlooking the campground, and even more music.
It’s a weekend to get close to nature – and of course, great music. But what if you’re just not the back-to-nature type? Are you doomed to miss out on all the Wakarusa fun?
No, you’re not. You can Wakarusa and still have a nice comfy bed, clean sheets, indoor plumbing, even coffee and breakfast, even if you don’t have access to an RV. That’s because this year, Wakarusa has added hotel packages to their growing list of options.
Hotel packages are available in three different tiers, with your choice of four or five night stays. All rooms are non-smoking only, and all hotels feature complimentary breakfasts, but they vary by price, amenities, and sleeping capacity. The most affordable option, Tier 3, can sleep up to four people and includes access to the internet as well as a laundry facility. Tier 2 also sleeps up to four, and offers internet, laundry facilities, a business center, fitness room, and a mini fridge and microwave.
Top of the line, of course, is Tier 1, at Fayetteville’s Homewood Suites, an all-suite hotel. Yes. One-bedroom suites sleeping four to six, depending on the suite, with a separate living and dining area. Oh, and a kitchenette with a two-burner stove, full-size refrigerator, microwave, dishes, utensils, and dishwasher. Don’t forget the internet, laundry facilities, business center, pool and fitness room. Oh, and the complimentary dinner and beverages on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as the hot breakfast every day.
Depending on the tier and the number of nights, prices range from around $345 to $745. This is for the hotel package only, and does not include event passes. You will also need to choose either a Hotel Hopper Pass for a bus ride to and from the main venue, or purchase a day parking pass and drive your vehicle on up to Mulberry Mountain. Remember, event passes are required to enter any part of the festival grounds, including the parking lots. Every person must have an event pass; every vehicle must have a camping pass or parking pass.
There are a few things to keep in mind. Deadline for booking a room is May 17. No bookings will be made after that date. Packages are either four nights or five nights; there are no single day options. If you have more people than the stated sleeping capacity (four or six, depending on the room), you need to book more than one room; there are no discounts if the room is under capacity.
A valid debit or credit card is needed to purchase your package. The cardholder must be at least 18 years old, and must be the person checking into the hotel on arrival. A valid debit or credit card will also be required to check in, and will be used to cover any incidental charges or damages to the room. It doesn’t need to be the same card used to purchase the package.
Just like with ticket purchases, all sales of hotel packages are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for any reason. Because cancellations are not allowed, however, you can sell your booking to another party. There is only one name transfer permitted (so as an aside, if you buy a package from a third party instead of through Pipeline Ticketing, make sure that they are the original buyer of the package).
All hotel packages will be booked through phone orders only. Pipeline Ticketing will begin taking calls at 10 a.m. CST on Friday, March 1. Call 785-749-3434 to book. Pipeline Ticketing is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday. More information is also available on the Wakarusa website.
Comments