Solshine Reverie Art & Music Festival

The Solshine Reverie Art & Music Festival kicked off my summer festival calendar, and kicked it off in a major way. The successor to Summer Camp – often called Scamp – Solshine was a pared down version of its predecessor. Even though the event took a smaller footprint, the vibes of Solshine are in no way lesser than Scamp.

Three Sisters Park, located just a stones throw away from Peoria, Illinois, offers a wonderful space complete with rolling hills, open areas for staging and crowds, lush wooded areas for camping, and nearby amenities that make this a festival just about anybody can attend.

Solshine offered acts across six different stages. Two larger stages with the largest area for spectators sat adjacent each other (Moonshine, Campfire), surrounded by amenities and vendors. One stage was reserved for those with VIP packages, and the Red Barn offered an intimate setting with a small interior for late night shows. The final two stages were located in the Illumination Woods, offering smaller stages and crowds, but a scenery that was my personal favorite of the festival.

The setup for the Moonshine and Campfire stages were top-of-the-line stages. Full sized stages with full lighting arrangements would befit any major venue. Located inside the Illumination Woods area of the festival,, the Illumination Stage, though considerably smaller, still offered a unique vibe between the canopy of the trees.

The music lineup is equally impressive, featuring a mix of up-and-coming artists and well-known headliners. From up-start DJs and EDM artists to long-touring jam bands, there was always something for every taste.

Headliners offered big-name acts with main-stage sounds and shows that did not disappoint. Bands like Umphrey’s McGee and The String Cheese Incident performed multiple sets to packed crowds, while Illinois native John Summit returned to Three Sisters Park for a fantastic set.

The Original Cyberpunk was a first-time performer at Three Sisters Park, putting on a slamming DJ set on the Illumination stage. The underground cyber bass/dubstep producer and DJ from Chicago said that being an attendee of Summer Camp festivals inspired him to become a performer, and returning to the grounds that helped form his style and passion was a dream come true.

One act that I was really looking forward to watching is Bad Snacks. Unfortunately, due to weather delays on my end, I was unable to catch her set, but have been able to connect through her publicity team. Her combination of electronic music and playing live instruments (namely the violin) has caught both ears and eyes. I am very much looking forward to providing full coverage of Bad Snacks in the near future.

One of the major headliners, Deadmau5, was scheduled to perform, but due to inclement weather and travel delays, he was unable to arrive.

Speaking of inclement weather, Central Illinois did what Central Illinois does in late spring. Days of warm sun and clear skies were mixed with days of showers and thunderstorms. Festival goers had no issues with the weather and continued to go strong for all four days. The festival staff and grounds crew did a fantastic job to minimize hazards and communicate safety instructions through rain or shine.

With an array of food trucks and stalls serving a wide range of cuisines, attendees were spoiled for choice. The commitment to quality is evident, with many vendors focusing on organic and locally sourced ingredients.

Personally, I tried a few of the food trucks. The chicken bowl from Greasy Mother Cluckers was reminiscent of KFC’s Famous Bowl, but with freshly mashed potatoes and fried chicken that left me wanting a second helping. Crave Belly partnered with Island Noodles to create a wonderful vegan portobello mushroom “burger” with a garlic lemon sauce that married so beautifully with the delicacy of the freshly sautéed veggies.

If I were to crown a winning dish, the chorizo stuffed bread with a side of fermented beet juice would be at the top of my list. The freshly made whole-wheat dough was wrapped around chorizo and cheese, then baked in a large clay oven. This created an entree that had a nice hard crust on the outside, giving way to the fluffy, doughy bread. The combination of a sharp and creamy cheese married with the subtle spices of the sausage. As I finished my meal, speaking with the artisan bakers behind the counter, I promptly went to the back of the line to order a second helping.

One of the standout aspects of Solshine Reverie is its sense of community. The festival attracts a diverse and inclusive crowd, and the atmosphere is one of mutual respect and joy.

I am always amazed at festivals how unwritten rules of festival society become so inherently followed by every patron. Even as crowds grow large, I was always able to observe people allowing each other to be their authentic selves. Dancers with modalities like light-wands and hula hoops never had to ask for more room to explore their music experience. As a photographer, carrying lots of various gear on my body, I was able to weave through the crowds without incident, and even had a handful of people thank me for what I do. I can’t think of that happening before.

Final Thoughts

The Solshine Reverie Art & Music Festival may be a smaller version of what Summer Camp built to become for over 20 years, but is in no way lesser to what it offers festival goers. Solshine is well-rounded event that successfully combines the best elements of art, music, and community. I am excited to see what year two of Solshine has in store!