Veterans of the Spirit of the Suwannee music park already know how ideal the 800 acres of untamed Northern Florida landscape that border the winding Suwannee River are. Add in a Halloween experience that engages both the mind and the senses, and Suwannee Hulaween Music Festival has the makings for a perfect festival.

Set to take place October 31st through November 2nd, in Live Oak, FL, Suwannee Hulaween features and impressive lineup with a little something for everyone. Jam band fans will rejoice at the inclusion of three full sets of the String Cheese Incident, who are hosting the event, alongside Silver Wrapper and Purple Hat Productions, while electronic lovers will be getting funky to sounds from Simon Posford of Shpongle and Emancipator. Other well-loved and familiar faces will also be gracing the festival, such as Big Gigantic, Thievery Corporation, the New Deal, EOTO, Conspirator and Beats Antique.

Don’t think the music alone will provide you with what you need for that otherworldly Halloween experience? No worries, as always Suwannee has you covered. Crew members will be transforming the infamous Spirit Lake as it never has been before. After collaborating with the Southeast’s most talented sculptors, painters, performance artists and lighting designers, SCI has mapped out a series of light, art installations and performance art that will be sure to remove any remaining traces of the mundane. This area will also play host to the traditional Silent Disco and the Late Night Spirit Lake music stage. Artists for these time slots are still to be announced.

Suwannee Hulaween is also offering a way for festival goers to engage their creative side. Compete with your fellow campers to win a “Werewolf VIP Upgrade,” by transforming your campsite into your own little world for the weekend. Judges will be looking for the most interesting camp decorations, be it spooky, silly or just downright weird.

And, as with last year, donations in the form of non-perishable canned food supplies will be being collected to donate to Love INC Food Bank in Live Oak FL. Donate 5 cans or more, and you’ll be given a 2014 commemorative festival poster! There will also be a pre-party on Thursday October 30th that will feature Aron Magner & Marc Brownstein of the ever brilliant Disco Biscuits and Conspirator as well as Mike Greenfield of Lotus and Particle, a “funktronic” jam band. Tickets for the pre-party will be sold separately and are currently on sale for 40 dollars.

A Spirit of Suwannee music festival experience is like no other. The people, music, art and landscape always seem to come together in such a mutual beneficial and beautiful way that I’ve yet to meet a person who can say their first Suwannee experience was or will be their last. I have no doubt that this year’s second annual Suwannee Hulaween will be no exception.

Tickets are still available online for the second tier of pre sales and the full lineup can be viewed at http://suwanneehulaween.com.

 -Written by Maggie Main