Wake up and smell the palo santo.. ARISE is only a week away! This year marks the fifth anniversary of this independent, family-run, Colorado festival and the excitement has been building. Whether you find your bliss dancing for hours amidst the lasers and onesie-clad party people, twisted up in Garudasana ready to take flight, soaking up mile-high wisdom, or deeply connecting with interesting, inspiring humans, you’re in for a treat. Just an hour north of Denver, you will find yourself at Sunrise Ranch, a pleasant organic farm oasis that sits sweetly within the city of Loveland, Colorado. With its vast valley views and stunning red rock formations, it feels quite natural to embrace your wild, free nature and let your heart break wide open.
The music lineup features a diverse wave of artists including greats such as Ani Difranco, Brother Ali, Beats Antique, Tipper, Rising Appalachia, Lettuce, Brothers Comatose, Dopapod and so many more. You can even create an ARISE profile and make a personal schedule of music and programs on your phone. Take a break from the heat and relax in the spacious, air-conditioned Big Sunrise Dome to listen to some world visionaries and their impact on environmental and social justice advocacy.
This festival has always attracted a wide range of earth guardians, movers and shakers, forward thinkers and conscious, peaceful people. Maybe that’s partly because ARISE upholds some serious standards to minimize their impact on the environment and bring awareness. In my opinion, at the rate we’re going as humans, it’s imperative that we make informed choices about who and what we are supporting and where our money goes. I want to be a part of music festivals I feel good about, ones that hold themselves accountable and make a true effort to leave the space sparkling clean and embraced in a dreamy after-glow. For one, ARISE will plant a tree for every ticket sold so just by attending, you are contributing to their eco-conscious commitment. Yay carbon sequestration! ARISE chooses Colorado-based food trucks and vendors that source their ingredients locally, compostable cups and flatware, and bio-diesel fuel to power the stages and production lighting. So many ways to make a difference here at ARISE. 
Conscious Alliance will be accepting healthy food donations during the festival to benefit the community of Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Guests who bring in 20 food items or make a suggested donation to the ‘Art That Feeds’ Food Drive, will receive a gift. Just bring your donations to the Conscious Alliance ‘Art That Feeds’ gallery and collection site. Join us Thursday on Sunrise Ranch before the festival begins for a fully packed Permaculture Action Day with Chloe and Leah from Rising Appalachia. Stewards of the Earth, unite to work on some pretty awesome and sustainable projects like a food forest, herb garden, cob oven and more. Check out the facebook event here.
Let’s talk about food, baby. Pretty sweet to know that ARISE is the only large-scale summer music festival in the US to offer a farmers market on the campgrounds, where all the food is organically grown on the exact same land. So fresh and so clean. Food trucks and vendors will also be slanging their deliciously organic, whole foods with healthy options for all.
Check out the NoCo Hemp Village, the Healing Village, Wisdom Village and Solutions Village. Wander around checking out incredible artwork and installations or relax in a hammock watching the magic happen and soaking in the brilliance of this co-creative space.
Bring your friends, grandparents and even the kids because there is something for everybody at ARISE. This festival makes it easier for parents to take a break and enjoy themselves, with free GA passes for kids under 12 and a featured Children’s Village that offers fun activities for the little ones all day.
ARISE offers a safe haven for a multitude of people with different backgrounds and experiences to come together with a common vision. To be seen and express themselves freely. The reason why most of us are attracted to festivals like this are because we a crave meaningful connection and a new paradigm. We come together to work through and play and deepen our understanding of love and unity. See you in the sunshine!
