Wakarusa festival subject of chat

The fifth annual Wakarusa Music and Camping Festival starts on Thursday, and festival organizers and law enforcement have been working on plans for about a year.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is preparing for 13,500 guests, which would make Clinton State Park the second-largest city in Douglas County until the festival wraps up on Sunday.

“We had quite a good success last year so we’re hoping that we’ll have the same success or better this year,” said Lt. Kari Wempe.

Wempe said the most common arrests are for minors in possession of alcohol and drug possession.

Wempe will participate in an online chat at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday to discuss the role of law enforcement at the upcoming Wakarusa festival.