At this year’s 5th annual Barefoot Country Festival in Wildwood, I expected to see cowboy boots, country music and sandy feet—and I got all of that. But what caught me off guard were the unexpected trends that took over the weekend.
I attended Barefoot to capture content for the Herald’s social media; it forced me to pay close attention to every detail of the four-day weekend. From different fashion moments to changes in artistic choices, here are some of the biggest things I didn’t see coming.
A Canadian Tuxedo?
A stand-out fashion choice was a take on the original “Canadian tuxedo” —or denim on denim. I didn’t know this style was making its return, but the festival showcased it. Jean shorts with denim jackets or a pair of jeans with a denim corset top were bold style decisions for Barefoot weekend.
Speaking of denim, there were so many overalls. America-flag printed overalls completely conquered the weekend.
Edgier Accessories
When attending a country concert, a cowboy hat is the obvious necessity. One of the most notable trends at Barefoot was cowboy hats—but not the kind you’d expect. The classic straw cowboy hat was still around, but it had some competition this year. Glitter, fringe, neon colors and bedazzled brims were everywhere. I saw hats with metallic designs and even animal prints: the perfect combo of “farm” and “festival.”
I know it’s a country concert, but many fans brought a Western theme to the shore. The number of Western accessories, specifically belts, was refreshing to see. It was interesting to see the festival turn into a country- and Western-themed fashion show.
Inflatable Seating?
People arrived early to secure spots using blankets and beach towels, but the real trend I noticed was inflatable seating in the general admission section. Audience members were able to bring in these reusable “chairs” for the entirety of the festival and it made a difference for people who waited all day long to secure a good spot in front of the stage.
Keeping the beach theme going, beach balls were all over the concert. During audience performances and in between sets, there was always a beach ball bouncing around the crowd. The nostalgic balls gave the country show a taste of the Jersey Shore and Wildwood’s iconic symbol.
Spontaneous Line Dancing
One thing I didn’t expect to see in the middle of the sand was organized line dancing. Almost every time I walked past the main entrance, there was a group of people breaking into synchronized steps. In a weekend full of chaos and crowds, it was a wholesome break that brought the crowd together.
Artists covering other artists’ songs is always a fan favorite, but country artists covering non-country songs was the star of the show. Covers got the biggest applause of the ngiht. If you’re not the biggest fan of country music, it’s still worth it to take a chance on Barefoot. Plenty of the artists covered classic songs that the whole crowd knew—a personal, and fan, favorite being Train’s “Drops of Jupiter” covered by Jordan Davis.
The Crowd was the Main Character
Another unexpected trend was the overwhelming positivity in the crowd. Whether it was couples hugging, a group of girls singing lyrics together, or just strangers sharing a laugh, love at the beach shined through. The people at Barefoot weekend came for no harm and had a good time, which is not always the case. Previous years had heated political chants and signage that was mostly absent this time around.
The most memorable moment of this Barefoot weekend was losing my bag with everything in it, from my ID to my credit card. Thankfully, someone turned it in with all the content in its place. It was good people, a good time, and good vibes all weekend.
Barefoot Country Music Festival delivered everything you’d expect—sun, sand and good old country music—but it was the unexpected trends that made it an unforgettable experience. There’s something special watching almost 40,000 people come together down the shore for the same reasons. It turns out, the best parts of a country music fest aren’t always on the lineup.
