The wheels of the green 2004 Ford Taurus gripped tight to the asphalt as we sped around the curves of the two-lane road. We were about 45 minutes outside of Carbondale traveling down Gilead Church Road in Vienna when the first sign came into view.

Our destination was only a few miles away, but the anticipation grew as the words Cedar Lake Campground appeared across the four way stop from us on a sign positioned to the left.

Atop it sat another sign, this one reading “Sugar Creek Music Festival: Sept. 19-20.”

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A couple minutes later, we turned onto the small gravel road leading into the campgrounds. Wristband — check. Painted smiley face signifying camping had been paid for — check. Car packed full of camping gear — check.

We had arrived. The Sugar Creek Music Festival experience had finally begun, and everyone was in for the ride.

For two days and nights, a small community formed within the festival. Strangers became friends and friends became family. Smiling faces were a common sight around the campground throughout the weekend.

Paul Kokes, a freshman from Wilmette studying glass blowing, hitchhiked from Carbondale to Vienna. Plans changed and rides bailed but he was not about to let that affect his festival experience.

“We had no idea what we were getting ourselves into,” Kokes said. “We kind of just woke up and took off.”

The weather stayed pleasant for the most part, making for a fun festival. The days were warm and sunny and the nights clear and cool.

The campgrounds were beautiful. Trees stretched for miles looking out across the hills. Its desolate location makes it a perfect spot for stargazing.

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Music was split between two stages. The main stage hosted several bands — highlighted Saturday with performances from Soul Census, The Driftaways, Copecetic and The Great Gatsby Jazz Funk Odyssey — while DJs took turns tearing up the electronic stage.

The main stage sat in front of the artist lounge. It was small but sufficient to hold all the necessary gear and lights.

As the artists played, the sun set on the hills and lake behind them, making for a picturesque backdrop.

The electronic stage was set up with several speakers and a projection screen lit up with psychedelic images, which spread through the trees as shadows within the branches.

Resting on the front of the electronic stage was a female mannequin with its legs crossed and a missing arm. The arm was positioned next to the mannequin on the speaker to the right of it, bringing us to the conclusion that the fake plastic mannequin had quite literally given an arm to be at Sugar Creek.

That same type of enthusiasm could be found throughout the weekend among attendees, artists, organizers and volunteers.

Friday night was highlighted by a large lighted circle in the middle of the field in front of the main stage where fire-spinners performed for a crowd of mesmerized people.

The night was capped off with the entrance of a lifetime as Jaik Willis came to the stage riding a horse wearing what appeared to be a roman suit of armor.

Evin Betts, one of the festival’s promoters, was in good spirits Saturday as the music began again.

“Everything is going great and everyone seems to be having a good time,” he said. “I have an excellent crew of volunteers. I couldn’t have done it without my friends, and Peter Floyd helped me out a lot. He got tons of bands for me.”

What began quite small blossomed into something much more, Betts said.

“I started with seven bands playing on a one-night music festival and came into Peter,” he said. “He eventually talked me into a two night festival and it turned into this and I’m super happy I met him.”

Even the vendors got in on the fun.

Johnny B’s Biblegrove BBQ, a food truck owned by John Bible of Anna-Jonesboro, served as the campground’s go-to place to chow down. The “hobo’s nachos” were a big hit, piled high with tortilla chips, baked beans, nacho cheese, jalapenos and a generous supply of pulled pork. Pretty much everything you could ever want, in nacho form.

Joe and Jaqui Kunz served the food during the festival. As they awaited more hungry patrons, they sat outside the food cart on a picnic table, using the cart’s awning as shade from the hot sun.

“It’s been a great experience so far,” Joel Kunz said. “Music has been great. People have been great and friendly. Nothing bad to say about it.”

The people really were the catalyst at the festival. The organizers worked hard to really encompass what a festival is supposed to be, which is people coming together to enjoy a common passion, music.

Kyle Sutton can be reached at [email protected], on Twitter @KyleSutton_DE, or at 536-3311 ext. 273