MARTA, Mud, and Music: Sweetwater 420 Fest

Landing in Atlanta with a thud, Makayla and Jake navigated the bustling airport and hopped onto MARTA, Atlanta’s transit system. A rental car wasn’t needed since the hotel was conveniently within walking distance of Centennial Olympic Park, the event venue for Sweetwater 420 Fest. The weather, however, had other plans. Rain and a surprising chill set in, which was a problem because Makayla had packed for sunny skies and warm breezes.

Undeterred, Makayla and Jake set out to find some suitable footwear. They scoured the city, and to their surprise, shoe options were scarce. Makayla ended up buying a pair of shoes that looked like they belonged to a circus clown. They were a size too big, but they were the best option in the moment. The shoes flopped comically with every step as they checked into their hotel.

Once cleaned up, they headed to Max Lager’s Wood-Fired Grill & Brewery to fill their stomachs before a night of music and drinks. Their VIP tickets promised five free drinks per day via wristbands, but when they arrived at the festival, they discovered the wristbands weren’t working. The organizers decided to give everyone unlimited free drinks at the beer tent instead. A recipe for disaster!

Makayla and Jake met up with their friend Alex, who had also flew in for the festival. Together, they enjoyed the VIP perks: free pizza slices, giant Jenga, and air-conditioned bathrooms. People-watching was spectacular. At one point, a man who had been happily dancing turned into a raving lunatic, trying to climb the chain-link fence next to the stage. Three police officers struggled to pull him off, but he clung to the fence like a determined monkey. It took two more officers to finally subdue him and haul him away. It was definitely a sight a to see!

As the afternoon wore on, heavy rain began to pour, but they were prepared with ponchos and closed-toe shoes. The VIP area was mercifully paved or covered with plastic boardwalks in all areas. General admission, however, looked like a sea of people in a huge mud pit. The rains stopped as the sun went down, but the beer kept flowing. The three friends gathered, swapping stories and hanging out between sets.

In the midst of their revelry, a shout for medics caught their attention. A woman had passed out, eyes rolled back, as two men carried her to safety. The medics arrived and managed to revive her. Festivals have a way of sneaking up on people.

The highlight of the night was Snoop Dogg’s performance. Things were getting fuzzy for Makayla, who had indulged a bit too much. As they tried to make their way to the VIP viewing area, a woman started yelling at Makayla for reasons unknown. Slightly inebriated, Makayla yelled back, “I’m VIP, bitch!” and pushed through the crowd. She found an opening that led to a set of stairs and, turning back, yelled, “Look who’s VIP now!”

Makayla then realized she was practically on stage, walking a catwalk in front of Snoop Dogg. Jake was right behind her, and they both laughed over their accidental adventure through the press pass section. Security was notably absent. On the other side, Alex told them he had been denied access.

Day one ended with a stumbling trek back to the hotel room. The next morning was filled with naps and frequent bathroom trips, feeling the effects of the previous night. Makayla and Jake ordered Domino’s delivery, hoping the greasy pizza would soak up the remaining alcohol so they could survive day two of the festival.

By late afternoon, they made their way back to the festival, only to find the wristband situation still unresolved. Another open bar kind of day awaited them. While the day started with a slow crawl into the festival grounds, they now had to pace themselves better, given how the first day ended. The weather was still unpredictable, but at least they were now veterans of festival footwear, thanks to Makayla’s clown shoes.

Determined to make the most of the music, food, and people-watching, Makayla and Jake vowed not to overdo it on the drinks. Following a trail of loud roars, they found themselves at the game tent. The giant Jenga games grew increasingly competitive, with the threat of toppling blocks adding to their excitement. Every so often, someone would knock over a tower, and the crowd would erupt in a mix of cheers and boos.

As the evening progressed, the festival’s energy surged. More bands took the stage, and the crowd’s enthusiasm was contagious. They watched as a group of friends attempted to form a human pyramid, only to collapse into a laughing heap. Meanwhile, a man dressed as a unicorn danced his way through the mud pit, leaving a trail of bewildered onlookers in his wake.

The festival’s unpredictability was part of its charm. They ran into a street performer who had somehow sneaked in, juggling flaming torches. His act drew a sizable crowd, and he performed with such flair that we couldn’t help but tip generously.

By the time the headliner took the stage, the crowd was electric. The energy was palpable, and they found themselves in the thick of it, dancing and singing along. The wristband glitch continued to work in their favor, and they kept the drinks coming, laughing at the absurdity of it all.

As the night wore on, the festival began to wind down. Makayla, Jake and Alex gathered and made one last trek through the muddy general admission area, now a familiar landscape before ending the night with a late night snack at Waffle House.

Day three of the festival dawned with a sense of both excitement and fatigue. The final day of the festival loomed large, a crescendo to the symphony of music and merriment that had filled the past two days. Jake and Makayla, weary from their previous escapades, decided to take it easy on the drinking. They were saving their energy for what they believed was the best lineup day of the entire festival.

Jake’s favorite band, Slightly Stoopid, was set to perform, and the group was determined to get the best view possible. They found themselves in a short line for the 2nd-floor VIP viewing area, which promised an unparalleled vantage point. The wait was worth it. From their elevated perch, they could see the entire stage and the sea of festival-goers below.

As Slightly Stoopid took the stage, the crowd erupted, and the energy was palpable. Jake and his friends felt the music pulse through them, a shared experience that connected them with thousands of strangers. Between sets, they grabbed a quick bite to eat, not wanting to miss The Wailers. The air was thick with the aroma of festival food, and the quick meal rejuvenated them for the next performance.

When The Wailers began to play, the crowd transformed into a living, breathing ocean of swaying bodies. From their vantage point, Jake could see the undulating waves of people, all moving to the rhythm of the reggae beats. It was a mesmerizing sight, the music casting a spell over the audience.

The night reached its climax with 311 taking the stage. The exhaustion of the past days melted away as they were swept up in the band’s electrifying performance. Every note, every beat, was a surge of adrenaline that kept them going. By the end of the set, they were thoroughly spent but euphoric.

As they left the festival grounds, their bodies ached, but their hearts were full. They had experienced something magical, a final day that surpassed their expectations. With great tales to tell, they headed home, ready to recount their adventures to friends and family. The Sweetwater 420 Fest had come to an end, but its memories would linger, a testament to the power of music and the joy of shared experiences.