First Time Festival Guide: High Hopes Festival, Bedford, PA

High Hopes Music Festival is hosted by Bumpin Uglies at Fort Royale Farm near Bedford, PA

First Time to High Hopes (Formely Weekend at Wolfies)?

What’s it like? Is it worth it?

Is High Hopes Music Festival good for kids?

Is High Hopes dog friendly?

Everything you need to know, before ya go!

Little Stranger music festival experience

Deaf at a Festival

Can Deaf people hear Music?

Stranger Truth

Right before Christmas, sometime after Thanksgiving; A line-up appeared on my Facebook newsfeed. “Bumpin Uglies, LITTLE STRANGER, Kash’d Out”…in Bedford, PA!

“Little Stranger is gonna be in Bedford?!”

I grew up about 40 miles South of Bedford. As a kid, I’d jaunt through Rt. 220 in the backseat. Just about every Summer, we went to Lakemont Park. I love this area. It is home to me. Everything is very familiar, knowwutImean?

We must go see Little Stranger!

We are huge fans John and Kevin. The Simon and Garfunkel Hip-Hop duo. Those beats and the groovin melodies. It’s not reggae. The lyrics, and wordy wordplay. Nor is it Rap. And alternative? Not quite, but this catch-all description fits the bill. LS is truly unique in their own way. Their music videos are some of the most creative I’ve ever seen. I HAD to grab this opportunity to see one of my favorite bands, in a dearly loved place!

Not just Little Stranger.. But, Fubar, The Quasi Kings, and Bumpin Uglies! This year’s line up was a mix of alternative and reggae.

Guide to Reggae: Feel the Beat
(PLUS 44 Songs you need to Hear!)

Ask me Why

(A, E, I, O, U)

High Hopes Music Festival was not our very first festival. We’ve been fully immersed in the music festival experience before. Camping, Music, Friends, all in nature.

IMO, there’s absolutely no better way to enjoy live music than at a festival. The music is wonderful. But the best part is the connections made with other like-minded people. Those connections build and over time become a solid friendship. You’ll meet some of the most down-to-earth, kind and happy-spirited people at music festivals. In the right place, it’s just plain “good vibes” all around.

I’ve got a Car

it’s freshly upholstered

It travels far

and when it reaches you it plays your favorite song

I had scored a pair of GA weekend tickets and shuttle passes for $350. These were scored from an individual about three weeks prior to the event. Total event cost online with fees was $460+.

Or.. You can score the best deal and buy Blind Faith Tickets!

Kids do not require a ticket. Nor do they need a shuttle pass.

From the Mountain State to *The Mountain*

**Emphasis on the** ***BUG SPRAY!***
Guide to Festival Camping:
The Essential Packing List for Music Festivals

We had about a 90 minute drive. Which was a short trip compared to most other festival goers.

We stopped at Martin’s in Lavale, MD on the way for donuts and ice. Growing up in this area, I know where the good stuff is. These grocery store donuts are some of the best I’ve ever had! It’s a must-stop. Especially in the early morning hours.

If you’re feelin’ what I’m feelin’

Come Through

(The Gates are Open!)

The gates were scheduled to open at noon. But, “usually opens by 10am”. We pulled in, got marked with a “C” on the windshield. Waited in line to check in. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. They even said, “Welcome Home”.

Put the win in Winnebago

We were told to find a spot and camp wherever the heck we wanted to. From there, we took a jaunt up Locust Ave hill. We wanted to be in the woods, away from the heat.

Upon our 11am arrival on Thursday, the woods were beginning to fill up. Volunteers had first pick. Here’s a quick rundown on camping:

Suburbia Place: Wide open field, room to stretch. RV’s on one side, tents on the other. Kinda close to the stage.

Buzz Bypass: This is a walking/shuttle path. Do not attempt to drive.

High Hopes Hill: This is the main woods camping area. Right along the road, this area fills up fast.

Rising Vibes Road: Deeper into the woods, further from the main stage. Close to Rising Vibes stage. A few great spots here!

Dayman Drive: This is the most outta the way. Away from Main Stage and Rising Vibes stage. A mix of woods/field; right in the treelines. GORGEOUS spots to wake up to! Less populated.

I’m fine, I’m fine so fine

Don’t nobody ask me to unwind

Camp sites are first come, first serve. You park next to your site. Most sites are adequately cozy. Within close proximity to neighbors. Watch for sticks, rocks, and poison ivy before laying down your tent!

Ain’t no thang but a busted brain

At the very dead end of Rising Vibes Road. We had the **BEST neighbors!**

I been vibin

We began meeting neighbors and getting acquainted with the grounds. Getting a lay of the land. This place is kinda big!

We made friends with this dude on our first stroll!

The port-a-potties were sparkly clean! Complete with hand washing stations. Plenty scattered all over the grounds.

Situation number one

Sit back relax and have yourself some fun

We got our very first shuttle ride. We had time before the pot luck on Thursday afternoon. The “shuttle fairies” were completely awesome! Each driver was friendly, and knowledgeable of the grounds.

**Be sure to purchase shuttle passes**

The golf cart ride is packed with beautiful scenery. It is refreshing, cooling, and saves much time on walking. We figured we’d have a 40 minute walk to stage without the shuttle passes. Uphill on the way back, at night!

All the cool kids are doing it!

The kids zone opened at 4pm Thursday, just after the pot luck. We began getting an idea of what this place truly is.

High Hopes Music Festival is extremely kid friendly. There were so many families. Babies, young kids, tweens and teens. Every single one of these kids seemed to be enjoying themselves. The kid zone is adjacent to the main stage. Right by a small stream and shade. So many activities for the kids throughout the weekend including:

Light up umbrella crafts
Hula Hoop crafts & lessons
Mario Kart
Tye Dye totes
Mandala painting
Squirt guns, bubble machines, kick ball, and yard games!

We can dance forever to

Frankie Sinatra

Music began at 4pm Thursday. Bumpin Uglies frontman Brandon Hardesty took the stage first. In the crowd, we saw families dancing. Children running around. Some familiar faces from the pot luck. Everyone was smiling big time!

As I listened to the music; It began to sink in.. This is a great venue.

The music in front of me,

the people beside me,

and these mountains behind me.

Everyone is so nice and it’s so beautiful here!

I ain’t happy,

I’m feeling glad

I got Sunshine in a Bag

(Take One, Leave One)

One of my favorite parts of this festival was the abundance of TOLO!

If *only* I had a picture of those boxes!
I did manage to get a picture of breakfast scramble..

On Friday morning, after breakfast: We began making the trek down High Hopes Hill. Armed with many exchanges: We came back with lots of cool stuff.

I’d say there were maybe 1000 people in attendance. Maybe 400 camp sites. And at least 100 TOLO boxes. High Hopes is a medium sized festival. It’s a good number. Great ratios, all the way around! Most importantly, it feels completely safe here.

Little Stranger gonna bring it to you now like

La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La

On Friday the 13th the excitement leading up to the evening could barely be contained. So many of us were looking forward to LS!

This was my first time seeing them, and it…was…INCREDIBLE! Looking back, this was one of the best days of my life. That night, it poured down the rain.

Red Rover @ High Hopes Music Festival 2025

I was in to Stormy Weather

Due to tent malfunction and flooding, we left a day early. Everything was drenched. We sure enjoyed those two days on the mountain. I think just about everyone there made wonderful memories. It’s that kinda place!

L the I the T the T the L the E the Stranger you can be..

THE BETTER!

(Pros and Cons)

As an middle-aged mountain woman/Deaf reggae lover; I’d give High Hopes a solid 4.8 stars. I’d totally go again! Depending on price and line-up. I’d love to see more reggae acts!

Pros:

Beautiful Scenery!
Safe environment
Super Kid Friendly
General good vibes/nice people
Sparkling clean port-a-johns
Shuttle rides
The take one, leave one boxes
A creek to play in/Kids Zone/shaded
Pot luck

Cons:

Honestly, no cons. If I really had to say something it’d be this.. It’s a little weird to be somewhere locally and see not one local yokel.

Nationally recognized bands bring in people from all over the nation. Which its pretty incredible to meet folks from Oregon, Colorado, Illinois, etc. It’s that some folks come equipped differently. A different set of culture and way of being.

Local band festivals bring out the local music lovers. And for that very reason: It’s easy to make friends on common ground. High Hopes Music Festival hosts a diverse group of fans from all over the US.

The Mindful Journey: 13 TIPS for Mindfulness, Awareness, Productivity, and Living Intentionally. Tip #2

Bedford is somewhat local and maybe it was my own preconceived notions: It was strange, but AWESOME to meet people from all over the country. Some were first timers, like us. Others have made the journey each year, and fell in love with “the mountain“.

Red rover,

Red rover

I said, “Now, Johnny, come over”

The East Coast music scene is widespread. There’s so many genres. Something for everyone.

First Time Festival Guide

There’s great festivals all around us!

Everything you need to know before you go!

**High Hopes Music Festival is a**
**TYPE 2 Festival**

Parking: You park your car right next to your tent. It’s super easy and convenient!

General Cost: 2026 Blind Faith Tickets are $185 for Thursday to Sunday. Shuttle passes are $41.

**Children under 12 are FREE. No ticket required **

As of 2025: Last chance tickets were $230 for the Thursday-Sunday ticket, and $35 for shuttle pass. 2025 Gate prices were as follows:

Thursday: $200 for three day
Friday: $140 for two day
Saturday: $80 for one day

Vendor pricing was average. Meals are in the $10 to $15 range. Drinks are $2 to $3. Find it at Franks had a variety of everything, from snacks to socks, to tents. For reasonable prices. They had bags of ice on site for a fair price of $5.

Atmosphere: The atmosphere was AWESOME! It felt safe, friendly, fun, and good vibes all around.

Food/Bar Lines: During the evening rush, lines were slightly long. However, the food vendors adequately took care of the small crowd.

Cleanliness: The grounds were spotless! Maybe a few wrappers and stray cans on the ground. The portapotties were sparkling clean every single use. Ample garbage bins all over the property.

Service of Staff: Hats off to all the volunteers that make it happen! From effortless ticketing check-in, to kids zone helpers, to Bear Care. And the shuttle fairies?! Every single one of these folks that keep this event going, they go nonstop!

Pets are not welcome. Find a dog sitter or make kennel arrangements.

Crowds: Even in the biggest headliners, it was never insanely crowded. Maybe ten or fifteen people deep for Little Stranger. The rest were seated, sprawled out across the stage area. Plenty of room to navigate and breathe.

**High Hopes Music Festival is capped out to 1500 Tickets**

Camp sites can be tight quarters. But, love your neighbor! We’re all here together, enjoy this time together! Meet as strangers, leave as friends. We had the best neighbors all around us. ❤️