California Roots Festival

Day Four started with the sun peeking at us through the clouds and rays of light spotting the grass as people streamed through the front gates and the opening melodies from Vana Liya, the first act of the day, were carried through the festival on the salty morning breeze. After a short time relaxing and people-watching in front of the Pop Up stage with coffee in hand, I was ready to dive into the last day of the festival.

I let myself be carried by the throngs of people walking towards the Cali Roots stage, taking note of the group soaking up the sun in brilliant blue pool floaties laid across the grass. Couples lounged on blankets, children chased iridescent bubbles bouncing through the air and Through the Roots made the stage their own, their energy spilling over into those dancing below. As they transitioned into their incredible new song, "Hot Damn," lead vocalist Evan Hawkins pumped us all up by shouting, "from the front all the way to the back let's hear some noise…we gotta pick up the tempo and set the tone for the rest of the night!"

As I walked back towards the Bowl from the Cali Roots stage a vibrant swirl of teals, oranges and golds drew me off the path, forcing me to stop and examine a large abstract seascape painted by Calee Dunlap, who goes by @babybobross on Instagram. Decked out in bright hues of orange and blue that matched her creation, Calee shared that it was her first time painting at California Roots and she's been enjoying the good vibes and tons of positive crowd interaction. As we were talking multiple people came to sneak a peek at the piece, unable to help themselves from taking a closer look at the exuberant painting. Truly personifying her slogan of, "exploring color and light," Calee embodied the Cali Roots vibe, her energy attracted people to her station throughout the entirety of the weekend until she finally finished on Sunday afternoon.

After meeting Calee I was desperate to put some paint to canvas myself and headed over to the art retreat for the Paint Party put on by Progress Not Perfection (@pnp.paintparties). Although it was a tranquil scene when I arrived, only fifteen minutes after sitting down the tables were full, almost every canvas in use. People of all ages participated, everyone receiving paper pallets filled with primary colors of blue, red, and yellow, along with black and white. Those not painting were mingling around the tables for a sneak peak at others' pieces, while those who were let their creativity run wild. Once complete, we were asked to let our piece dry against the back fence of the art retreat, and the spontaneous gallery drew its own crowd as people browsed through paintings of psychedelic mushrooms, oceanscapes and color-blocked rasta designs.

With the sun beating overhead for the majority of the day a food break was in order, and I wandered back to the food court near the Pop Up stage for a quick bite of avocado toast from Bean Around the Block. Served on a thick slice of sourdough and covered in rich, creamy chunks of avocado with chili flakes and everything but the bagel seasoning, it was the perfect snack to munch on in the sunshine and recoup some energy. I shared the space with others who had the same thought, people resting casually with beers, cocktails or Gold Vibe's hard kombucha in hand as a cacophony of mouth-watering smells wafted through the air.

Sublime with Rome was up next in the Bowl, and the crowds started filling up early to prepare for the show. Standing shoulder to shoulder from the front to the back of the stadium, the opening notes of the first song played and screams from the crowd pierced the air, everyone on their feet. Clouds swept across the sky as the breeze started to pick up, though the chill couldn't permeate the intensity of the dancing crowd. As we swayed and danced along together, the familiar songs poured over us and forced us to sing along, screaming our hearts out as we savored each and every moment.

Although it was very tough to miss the goddess that is Hirie, I made the decision to wait at the Bowl for Ice Cube's set to make sure I secured my place inside, thinking of the desperate fans who were locked out of the headlining performances when the crowds swelled to capacity on Friday and Saturday nights. Many other people had the same thought and refused to leave, claiming their territory and fighting towards the front row. Chuck, a security guard at the Redwood entrance of the Bowl stage, had been desperately waiting to see Ice Cube's set. He connected with some of the people doing everything they could to be allowed into the VIP section, everyone sharing in their excitement to see the iconic California rapper. The crowd went wild as the show started, people packed into every possible inch of the grassy field, VIP sections and to the sides of the stage. Ice Cube was feeling good and joking with the crowd, happily poking fun at himself and strutting around the stage with the triumph of someone who knows they're in their element. A Raiders flag waved in the air as the entire crowd danced and sang along, feeling the beat of the bass in their souls and relishing the ingenious lyrics thrown out at an incredible pace. People stayed until the last minute of the last song, refusing to believe the show was over, as if as long as they didn't move an inch the show didn't have to end. Multiple people were overheard agreeing that Ice Cube's set was one of the best in Cali Roots history, and would not be soon forgotten.

Once people finally accepted that the set was over they rushed to the Cali Roots stage to see Sean Paul. I must admit I was not one of them, and instead used the time to grab some dinner as the infectious beats of Sean's set flowed through the grounds, practically begging us to jam along. As I ate with friends in the grass the sun was setting and the trees began to glow, their multi-colored lights blazing the ground with neon pinks, yellows, blues and greens to create a true multisensory experience.

The last show of the last day always hits a little bit differently, and tonight was no exception. Damien Marley Jr.'s energy filled the packed Bowl from the first song and he was clearly having the time of his life in front of his adoring crowd. His stage presence is magnifying, leaving you unable to look away as he runs around the stage with endless fire and an irresistible smile, his backup dancers and band members sharing in his dynamic vibes. As he flowed through familiar tunes like "Medication" and "It Was Written," the crowd continued to dance along, seemingly determined to leave their hearts and souls at the fairgrounds on the last night. Smoke circled towards the stars while green and red lights flashed to the back of the stadium from the stage, spraying the trees and tents with bright lights and hypnotic patterns. As the night neared its close Damien treated the crowd to Bob Marley classics: we were lucky enough to hear "Could You Be Loved," "War," and "One Love," to name a few,  the songs reaching deep into our hearts as the sea of fans enjoyed the last few moments of the festival. A perfect end to the perfect weekend, Damien Marley, Jr. sent us into the night with a show that will live in us all forever.