BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A music and arts festival that’s been the topic of much controversy here in Kern County is kicking off tomorrow.
Lightning in a Bottle will open its gates around noon tomorrow for festival goers and 23 ABC was able to get a behind the scenes look at the preparation of their interactive structures and stages.
Dede Flemmings, co-owner of Lightning in a Bottle says they have enjoyed setting up at Lake Buena Vista.
“We are an arts and music festival. We like to put the art first everything we do is aesthetic based out here,” said Flemmings. “We like to put the art first. We take the little mundane things in life and try to make art out of it.”
This is the first year Lighting in a Bottle will take place at Lake Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational area and event officials are anticipating nearly 20,000 people to attend.
“We have all age groups that come to LIB and a lot of kid and family programming, workshops and music for everybody and it’s a diverse crowd,” said Flemmings.
The festival runs through Monday and includes over 100 art installations, musicians and, handmade stages.
Flemmings says there will also be emergency services and law enforcement at the event.
“No matter what happens out here or what we can anticipate we are prepared,” Flemmings explained. “We have a lot of medical folks here, and county EMS. Whatever happens, out here this will be one of the safer places to be this weekend.”
The LIB website, states “even though LIB is in a remote environment it’s important to remember federal, state, and local laws remain in effect.”
Although the festival is officially a drug-free event, music festivals are known to involve recreational drug use. Kern county officials have stated their concerns in the past.
Flemmings says they are making plans for if it rains during the festival.
“We have been in plenty of shows all around the world when it rains and it has added a fun element for some people and others huddle in the tent for a bit and we will be prepared for it,” said Flemmings.
LIB will only have single-use plastic and wants to remind attendees to bring reusable canteens for water, because they will not sell any water bottles. However, the festival will have free water stations available for all festival goers.
Two to five-day ticket passes are still on sale for the festival and will be available at the door. Tickets start at $185 and you can purchase them here.
