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Wakarusa 2013 Marks a Muddy & Successful Year

The 10th Wakarusa Festival in Franklin County marked its fourth and last day on Mulberry Mountain. The popular music and camping festival faced weather challeng...

The 10th Wakarusa Festival in Franklin County marked its fourth and last day on Mulberry Mountain. The popular music and camping festival faced weather challenges leaving the campgrounds muddy. However, it didn't detour music enthusiasts.

Nick Noyes, from Asheville, North Carolina, traveled to the festival with his brother Merrick Noyes.

"It's kind of in a mud bath,” Noyes said. “But it's a music festival that kind of has an eclectic gathering of all different kinds of music."

Noyes is a musician back home and he enjoys the musical talent brought to the festival. Noyes sang his song “Runaway” along with his brother next to their tent. Both played their guitars.

"This is kind of how I make my living, so it's really nice to come to a place like this and enjoy the music," Noyes said.

Dianne Riggs, from Fayetteville, twirled a hula-hoop to the Noyes brothers’ song. She said she made friends with her tent city neighbors.

"You just get to know everyone around you and it's very nice like sense of community," Riggs said.

Morgan Bibbs, also from Fayetteville, said she's called her orange tent home for the duration of the festival.

"You're only in it to sleep basically, which is nice that we actually had two days of nice weather," Bibbs said.

However, it wasn’t always nice. Thursday evening and Saturday overnight brought tornado and flood warnings along with strong winds and heavy rain.

Over the four-day event, there were more than 100 bands on five stages. One of the lineups for Sunday evening included Snoop Lion, formerly known as Snoop Dog.

"Some of those sets didn't happen because of the weather, but it was a massive lineup and a lot of really great music," said Kelly Paton, Wakarusa publicist.

Noyes said they'll take away an unforgettable experience.

"Wonderful memories, great times. I mean I had a really great time," Noyes said.

Franklin County Sheriff Anthony Boen said as of Sunday afternoon, his agency made about 45 arrest at the festival. He said last year, there were a total of 73 arrests.

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