The party at River and Sky doesn’t stop. Thursday through Sunday, there’s someone up to something, somewhere, on the festival grounds.
The sauna churns out a constant stream of steam and sweaty festival-goers day or night, and the beach never fully empties. If you’re an early riser, chances are you’ll cross paths with the night owls catching an early morning sunrise.
Here’s a rough idea of what a very full day at River and Sky looks like.
7 a.m. The first people are waking up. A woman walks her two dogs down the beach and takes in the crisp air. Babies are crying at the family friendly campsites.
8 a.m. The mainstage area is starting to fill up as people realize coffee is served.
9 a.m. It’s officially the breakfast rush and people are digging into piles of pancakes and oatmeal at the picnic tables. Everyone is unnaturally jolly considering how much beer was consumed the night before.
10 a.m. Yoga on the beach starts with locals Liz O’Hara and Arjan Namdev. The coffee stage opens for some early entertainment.
10:30 a.m. On Friday, I join a herbal walk with Miranda Martel and she says that goldenrod has more antioxidants than green tea. She also says it tastes like poison.
11 a.m. Some interesting workshops are underway. Depending on the day, you can learn a flash mob routine, try standup paddleboarding, or learn about bike fixing.
12 p.m. A second round of people — the all nighters — are waking up and the paths are busy, people are congregating at campsites to plan their afternoons. Some people are having beer for breakfast.
1 p.m. The beach stage opens and people start drifting towards it.
2 p.m. The beach is jam-packed with sandy blankets and people. Shade is in high demand.
3 p.m. I grab a burrito with a friend and debate whether we should have a popsicle then nap, or nap then have a popsicle. There are some tough decision at River and Sky.
3:30 p.m. More cool workshops under way, you could be learning how to string a guitar, how to tie knots, or you could be getting a massage. On Friday, I catch Timber Timbre doing their soundcheck. Lucky.
5 p.m. The beach show just ended and people are stampeding back towards the mainstage for dinner, or to their tents for a quick nap. If you’ve fallen asleep on your blanket, you’re in for a rude awakening. I did and I was.
6 p.m. The food vendors are amazing as ever, the North Star Travelling Cafe’s “big dipper” (a tortilla with vegan caribbean stew and a million other delicious things) wins my heart.
7 p.m. The mainstage shows start and people gather around the technicolour stage.
8 p.m. The mosquitos are here and they’re bad. Really, really bad. I’m glad I have spray.
8:30 p.m. The kids are playing a game called mantracker. As far as I can tell, it’s tag.
9:30 p.m. Food is still being served, but on Saturday the pizza cheese runs out. The horror.
10 p.m. The headliner goes on and suddenly everyone is pressed up against the stage singing. At least the mosquitoes are less noticeable in the crowd.
11 p.m. The mainstage is done for the night, and now the beach stage is starting up. Another mass migration.
11:30 p.m. There’s a woman fire dancing on the beach Friday night, a second crowd forms around her.
12 a.m. The mosquitos are tapering off. A sense of relief spreads through the crowd.
12:30 a.m. On Saturday, there’s someone in a giant dinosaur costume terrorizing festival goers on the beach. Our dog bravely chases it away.
1:30 a.m. The beach shows are ending and the all-night dance party is just starting.
2:00 a.m. We finally find our way down the long, dark path to the dance party. Flashing lights illuminate art installations. People are packed around the stage dancing to the night’s DJ offerings.
3:00 a.m. Water break, the festival organizers smartly lugged out some water jugs to the party.
4:00 a.m. I find a well-hidden outhouse in the trees and make sure all my friends know where it is.
5:00 a.m. The sky is starting to lighten up and the music is done for the night. People start heading to bed.
6:00 a.m. Those of us who weren’t ready for bed congregate back at the beach for a game of bocce and a quick sauna and a dip.
6:59 a.m. The first people who actually slept are starting to wake up, in a little while, maybe we’ll head to bed. But first, just one more round of bocce.
Ella Myers is a freelance writer in Greater Sudbury.
