Let the Good Vibes Roll

Are you looking for a unique outing? Are you interested in more eclectic music than just the more common country and rock that is found all around the area? Do you want to spend some time with like-minded individuals? Well, get yourself out to Campground Adventures, 5811 Rt 16 in Ischua NY. And why do you want to go there? That is the home of the 2nd Annual SOULAND Music Festival, happening August 2nd through August 4th.

EllicottvilleNOW had a great opportunity to speak with festival organizer, Mike Paterniti, about this year’s festival and all the amazing entertainment it offers.

eNOW: Could you give us some background on the festival? How it got started and how it's developed over the years?

PATERNITI: Many, locally, know me for my passion for skiing, and for being a regular fixture, if you will, at Holiday Valley and in Ellicottville. Another huge part of my life is live music & music festivals, and I have been enjoying and attending live events for many years since the early 90s. Music festivals offer a level of connection that is difficult to attain in everyday life and a safe space to express yourself fully and authentically! It is my dream to create community, connection and purpose by offering the space and opportunity to meet and immerse myself with ‘love-minded’ people. The point where I consciously realized I wanted to create a music festival I can trace back to around 2017. I can remember exactly the moment where I spoke it out loud as a dream of mine, - to a friend for the first time in 2019. Having no idea the how, where and when, that moment was a pivotal stepping stone to manifesting the amazing creation of what we now call Souland.

It all boils down to having a dedicated and talented team that buys in to the idea and process… or it’s all just a pipe dream. It became glaringly evident to myself that ‘our people’ were ready to make the leap in 2022 at a festival many of us go to in Ohio called Summerdance, known for its amazing campsite after-parties. We came so fully loaded to entertain that we pulled off the best couple of after-parties in the entire venue!

It was a magical scene and the joy we created for all who joined us was a moment of realization for me that we are ready and more than capable of hosting an amazing event of our own. Immediately after we returned home from Summerdance ‘22, and still basking in the glow of our creation, I began to approach and put together the first few core members of our team, which has evolved to about twelve team collaborators presently. The philosophy in building our team revolves around putting people in the situations that they want to be in and thrive in, creatively, while focusing on how to bring each of our own gifts, talents, and special skill sets to the table. The Souland Team is extremely talented and dedicated, and we are learning at every step in the process. It’s been amazing to watch and experience our levels of growth and evolution, even in just our first two years. And truth is, we’re just getting started, and Souland is very much in its infancy. The potential for it is beyond any wildest dream of ours.

eNOW: What is new for this year's festival?

PATERNITI: We have a plethora of new and exciting happenings at this year’s Souland. We have really taken things to the next level with our artistic installations, stage design & decor! Our new secondary Main Stage (one of two), the Time-Hop Stage, adds a bit of time-related nostalgia, a clock face stage, and is supported with rustic related accessories. Our Late Night ‘Shroom Boom Stage’ dedicated for our late night Bass Music, is a massive mushroom where the artists are inside of it and will be surrounded by many colorful additional hand-made mushrooms. The Shroom Boom Stage is a late night area. All stages and other art is created by our ultra talented art team, in-house. We added a Thursday Pre-Party, where attendees may arrive early on Thursday at 5:00pm to set up at the choice camping spots on the water, and will have some stellar musical entertainment in a private-like, low key party to kick off the weekend. We have added a fourth stage from three last year to accommodate our 34+ musical artists & bands.

Our artistic team has created an elaborate interactive clue-based scavenger hunt, if you will, called SoulQuest. It will lead you and your friends on a whimsical, exploratory adventure where clues are left to decipher the next stop in the Quest. We are really excited to see how this goes over with our attendees.

We have a Lazy River to relax, cool off and you can bring your own floaties to enjoy. You will be able to join in with our goats and sheep while they roam free & feed in the field, while these fun and charismatic animals naturally entertain you and your friends. There will be fire spinning at night and other forms of flow entertainment.

Sunday morning, we have a super-chill Sunrise Set scheduled that brings us into the final day of the festival. Sunday during the day is a casual relaxation and hang out day with some vibey music to close out the festival with.

You can purchase your Souland memorabilia (shirts & stickers) at our new Merch Booth. Our ‘Vibey Village’ returns in year two, with a wave of new interactive activities. This is where you will always find something fun, healing, relaxing, and always interactive going on. In the day time, it is where to go to do things like hang out in our multi-person Tree Net, find the somatic sound healing area, get in a message, reiki, tarot, drumming, dance, yoga, or just chill either in or by the water, & more, in a fabulous on-the-river setting.

At night, it becomes the Late Night after-party zone, hosting the Vibey Van Stage - where house music pumps from midnight, after the Hollyweed Main Stage area shuts down. Hang out in the Tree Net above, chill in the Slow Down Den lined with lime green shag carpet and filled with pillows, fun toys and trinkets. Experience live paintings, Henna art, and visit the Silent Cinema, where old movies will be projected and has authentic old-style theatre chairs, a retro arcade & more. And I can’t forget the Trippy Trail, which is lined with random wind chimes and lighted at night. The list goes on.

eNOW: Could you give us the details on the groups who will be performing?

PATERNITI: Musically, we represent the Buffalo Music scene, leaning more heavily towards electronic dance music like house, drum & base, dubstep and techno, such as Witty Tarbox, Space Junk, Notixx and yet we have a very diverse lineup of rock, jam, funk, and more as well! Music begins on Thursday at 8:00pm until they feel like stopping. Friday gates open at 9:00am and music begins at 12:00pm, running all the way until 6:00am on Saturday morning. Music resumes at 12:00pm on Saturday and runs throughout the day, into and through the night, and until our Sunday Sunrise Set from 6:00am-7:00am. Music then resumes around 12:00pm on Sunday and will run until early evening, where the gates will then close around 6:00pm.

eNOW: Will there be food and beverages available? If yes, who will be providing them and what will they be offering?

PATERNITI: We will have a few food trucks from the area serving up a variety of delicious food and drinks all weekend. At the Thursday Pre-Party we will be having a ‘family dinner’ (included), and on Sunday we will be hosting a pancake brunch (also included). Locally crafted libations by our beer sponsor, Ellicottville Brewing, will also be provided. We are also proud to have approximately ten retail vendors, offering everything from handmade crafts, jewelry, paintings, clothing, crystals, and more!

eNOW: Is there age or any other restrictions?

PATERNITI: Souland is an 18+ event that is designed to cater to your inner child, creating deep connection and community values. Service animals only. We strongly discourage bringing single-use plastic water bottles, as we have purified water stations for attendees, so bring up your own water bottle or cup. Glass is prohibited. No firewood, it is available for purchase on-site. We strive to utilize environmentally conscious practices and remain true to protecting it.

eNOW: Could you let us know the cost of admission and where tickets can be purchased and if they can be purchased the day of?

PATERNITI: We have a variety of ticketing options to choose from. Our basic weekend pass runs from Friday (9:00am) until Sunday (6:00pm) and costs $129. This includes all music and activities, and tent camping & parking (camp by vehicle). There are also RV Site upgrades, and non-RV Power & Water upgrades. We offer a VIP pass for $199 that includes Thursday early entry to the Pre-Party, use of private bathrooms and showers & access to the VIP Lounge and Artist Area. We have several fabulous Glamping upgrade options, which are selling fast, and include all the VIP benefits above and four nights stay (Thursday early arrival - Monday late departure), all while experiencing the finest camping amenities. From $200 & up).

Can’t make it for the whole weekend? Not to worry, Day Passes for each day will be available at the gate. Prices are as follows and include a single overnight: Thursday Pre-Party: $40 (5:00pm open) / Friday: $70 (9:00am opening) / Saturday: $80 (9am opening). Gates will close each night at 12:00am and will re-open at 9:00am. Overnights are encouraged due to safety concerns of traveling late, and to avoid potential run-ins with the authorities.

Souland is located 20 minutes from Ellicottville and is just over an hour from Buffalo, at Campground Adventures, 5811 Route 16, Ischua NY. I cannot say enough of how beautiful and magical of a space this is. The grounds are a perfect fit for Souland, and our relationship with Campground Adventures is pivotal to the overall experience and to our early successes. Find them at www.campgroundadventures.com for the finest Glamping accommodations, RV and tent camping that the region offers.

There you have it folks. This is the perfect adult only weekend party you’ve been looking for. Pack your bags and take yourself out to get a little more soul into your life at SOULAND Music Festival! More information, tickets, directions and full schedule can be found at soulandfest.com. And make sure to follow their socials. IG: @soulandfest. FB: Souland Music Festival.

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