Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival kicked off its second day with a yearslong tradition: High Five Friday. As gates opened, fans welcomed each other in with hand-slaps and cheers of “happy ‘Roo’ as they entered through the festival’s famous arch.

It was needed Friday, when intermittent rain and mud threatened to smother the mood. For many, the high-five greetings helped lighten spirits for the day. 

Nine-time festival-goer Reid Taylor embraced High Five Friday as he ran around making sure a hand was not missed. He made sure to go up to people with a smile on his face and high energy. 

“It’s all about camaraderie,” Taylor said, “and that’s what we’re here on this planet for: Fellowship.”

High Five Friday wasn’t planned or put on by the organizers of ‘Roo. Still, Bonnaroo organizers embrace it, using pictures of the event as a countdown on social media ‘til festival-goers are back on The Farm. 

The tradition drives a connection between workers and festival-goers. As people walked through the metal detectors and scanned their bracelets, workers like security Cala Aalber deliberately high-fived and welcomed those walking in. They make sure to shout a greeting as they high-five one another and ushered them in safely. 

“You get to like interact with them. It’s a stranger that’s giving them such positive energy as they’re coming into their festival,” Aalber said. “So having all that love and that positivity as you’re coming in really helps kind of boost your morale. 

Bonnaroo’s official slogan is ‘Radiate Positivity,’ and the High Five Friday tradition falls in line with that ideology. The high fives continued throughout the day as people walked past one another in Centeroo.

“You just gotta show up every day and give the energy,” Taylor said. “No matter what it is, where it is, what it ain’t. Just do it. High Five Friday.”

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