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By Erin Castaneda

While musical performers entertain on Wakarusa Festival’s stages, the campground sites are a feature not to be missed.

People of all ages find elaborate ways to set up their campsites, entertain themselves, sleep comfortably, at least as well as you can in 85 degrees, and grill up some grub.

Since it’s equal parts music and camping at Wakarusa, having the right supplies improves the experience.

T.J. Baker, 23, Lawrence, said sleeping comfortably is key. Hammocks are the best, he said.

“I’m envious I don’t have one with me, especially for napping,” he said, looking at a yellow hammock his friend was sound alseep in.

Eric Blakie, 22, and Jake Via, 23, both from Buffalo, N.Y., made the 16-hour road trip for the festival, so there was no going back for that forgotten toothbrush or towel.

Check out photos of Blakie and Via at their campsite

They were sure to bring a propane grill.

“It gets it done quick,” Blakie said. “You don’t want to mess with a fire. Just make sure you’ve got a lighter.”

A cooler full of food, “easy stuff” such as hot dogs and peanut butter and jelly fixings, also made the trip with them.

“There’s no steak or T-bones; we spent enough on gas,” Blakie said.

They also packed up table and chairs, a tent of course, an air mattress, cups and plates, and a battery-powered fan.

The Kansas wind was a delightful treat for the New Yorkers, though.

“I like the Kansas wind; it cools it down that extra bit,” Blakie said.

To keep them entertained, they brought their bongo drums, Frisbee and glow sticks.

“We’re just floating,” Blakie said about how often they make it back to the campsite. “When we get thirsty or hungry.”

Sometimes it’s nice to just chill in one spot, and perhaps paint.

Body painting was what one small group of old and new friends did to pass some time and to stir up some reactions, too.

Check out photos of the body painting

Jordyn Russell, 18, Kansas City, Kan., who was sprinkled in flourescent orange paint from head to toe, was having a large tree painted on her back by Daniel Chihak, 21. The two had just met.

The flourescent paint seems to be a good ice breaker.

At the Friday night Galactic show, Russell, along with her friend Rejane Davis, 22, Louisburg, brought their paints and attracted more people who wanted to be painted.

“It’s exciting to see people’s reactions,” Davis said, who sat on a blanket with paint as her only top.

Russell, who paints as a hobby, said she’s never seen so many reactions to one of her original works as the leaf painting she painted on Davis’ abdomen.

If you want to have an inviting campsite without the bodypaint, try tarps.

“Over the years, the best campsites have used tarp, next to tarp, so people can all chill there,” said John Lee, 23, Lawrence. “Day or night, something is going on.”

A group of friends ditched the campsite for a swim in Clinton Lake Saturday, another alternative to keep busy and cool when your favorite band isn’t playing.

“It felt amazing after all that walking,” said Maggie Goering, 17, from Hutchinson.

Back at the campsite people were surprised by sweet eats.

After cruising east Lawrence in his ice cream truck, Bill Slemp, 62, of Ottawa, was given the idea to sell his treats at the festival for the first time.

"It's been busy," he said.

Slemp has been with KC Ice Cream for four years.

"I enjoyed being out here today," Slemp said, and he'll be back next year.

Matt Engle, 22, from Kansas City, Kan., enjoyed Slemp's appearance, too. As soon as he heard the truck's jingle he briskly approached it looking for something cool.

"I think it's a nice treat," Engle said. "No one else has ice cream out here."

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