The Hulaween Incident

My very first String Cheese "Incident" took place October 29–30, 2004, at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. I was only 16 years old. String Cheese symbolized far more than just a band before I even attended one of their shows. They introduced me to a new outlook on life and to the person I hoped to become. Their music brought a joy and light that helped me see the world differently. Experiencing them live for the first time—especially on Halloween weekend—was one of the most surreal moments of my life. It was an eccentric gathering of people embracing every magical moment together.

The crowds and SCI's performances were incredible. I saw people with dreadlocks styled like tree branches, glowing outfits, tie-dye everywhere, imaginative costumes, and, above all, hula hoopers. Aside from childhood toys and circus acts, I'd never seen people move with such grace and creativity while flowing with a hoop.

As I looked around at the balloons, confetti, glow sticks, and overwhelming feeling of love in the air, an unfamiliar sense of bliss took over. Throughout the weekend I knew this was something I wanted to experience again and again. Watching the talented hoopers, I remember thinking, Someday that will be me. Exactly eleven years later, I found myself exactly where I had always hoped to be.

Although I'd seen countless String Cheese shows with amazing friends, I knew Hulaween was something I needed to experience for myself. Ever since those first concerts, SCI has held a deeply personal place in my heart. I realized none of my local friends were likely to jump at the chance for a ten-and-a-half-hour road trip to see seven String Cheese sets, and I was perfectly okay with that.

I didn't want to spend the weekend worrying whether anyone else was having a good time. I wanted this to be my experience. In my first Vibe Tribe story, Flying Solo, I wrote about attending concerts by myself. This adventure took solo travel to a whole new level. Before I knew it, I was headed toward the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Florida, completely on my own and ready for whatever adventure awaited.

Hulaween celebrates far more than music—it celebrates creativity itself. Flow arts, live performances, interactive art, and the magical forest surroundings created an atmosphere that felt like stepping into a dream. I made it to all seven String Cheese sets while dancing, hooping, exploring, and soaking up every moment. Somewhere along the way, I stumbled upon a hidden forest within the forest that completely captured my heart.

Alongside beautiful Spirit Lake was an enclosed area filled with incredible art installations, workshops, stages, and creative people whose passion radiated through everything they built. I had no schedule, no one to answer to, and nowhere else I needed to be. When I wasn't dancing at a Cheese set, I wandered those woods, letting curiosity guide me. My favorite installation was a haunted house with smoke drifting from the chimney, though the giant tree-snake sculpture came in a close second. It looked so natural that it seemed as though it had grown there on its own.

I felt compelled to create every time I wandered through that magical place. I couldn't simply observe the artwork—I had to become part of it. Hula hooping through Hulaween on Halloween in front of a haunted house became one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. It sparked a journey of self-reflection, creativity, and independence that I never imagined I'd experience.

Here's another thank you to String Cheese for inspiring yet another unforgettable chapter in my life—one that reminded me I can continue flowing through life no matter what comes my way. I became part of something much bigger than myself, but more importantly, I became more comfortable being exactly who I am. My eyes opened wider than ever before. I'm forever grateful to SCI for reminding me that I can become whoever I choose to be, and that there's absolutely no shame in embracing my free spirit.

Sam styled her festival look with cozy pieces similar to those you'll find in our hippie accessories collection.