EVERY YEAR, people from all over the nation come together to enjoy entertainment, community, and great food at Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. One familiar face you might have seen there is Mrs. Bonnaroo, Rebecca French, a fashionista who wears a unique, reclaimed, or environmentally-friendly costume each year.
Originally from Banbury, England, and with a father from the Winchester/Tullahoma area serving in the military, some of her most cherished childhood memories stem from her yearly summer visits to Tennessee.
“As a child, I would travel to Tennessee every summer and spend my entire summer with my family. So this has always been that feeling of home. And I always said that I would come back here one day.”
Rebecca attended Bonnaroo for the first time in 2011, and her experience was transformative.
“It was beautiful. It was about being accepted, part of something bigger than yourself, enjoying new music, and being introduced to different things.”
She said she enjoyed seeing nonprofits, initiatives, and themed costumes, inspiring her to create her own costumes and eventually turn them into initiatives.
Rebecca used her pageant history one year to dress up as “Mrs. Bonnaroo.”
“I just tell everybody that I’m self-appointed and that anybody can be Mrs. Bonnaroo or Mr. Bonnaroo. Because it means that you’re going to do things in your community that give back, care about the Earth and social politics that make a difference in the world.”
One year, she created an illuminated dress made entirely out of balloons, representing the negative impact releasing plastic balloons into the air had on fish and turtles.
Her interest in fashion design came after a car accident that left her homebound for months in high school. During this time, she learned how to sew from her at-home teacher, eventually leading her to participate in a purchasing program at Dillard’s department store while attending Motlow State Community College.
With five sons of her own, Rebecca stays busy using her creativity to make statements through costumes while also impacting those around her with volunteer opportunities. She serves as a bridge and voluntary contact for anyone needing connections.
“When you are working on such a big festival, there are little things that get left behind, or there are little errands that people can’t run.”
She has worked with Bonnaroo on hotel issues for years, ensuring the visitors’ stay in Coffee County is as pleasant as possible.
For Rebecca, Bonnaroo is like her own “Disneyland,” with great food, great people, and an exceptional atmosphere. It allows her children to learn about different cultures through music and art while also learning life skills.
Rebecca spoke about the importance of Bonnaroo and the inclusivity of music festivals.
“Music is a universal language. And even if you speak second languages, are nonverbal, or can’t hear, you can still feel the music.”
There is something for everyone at Bonnaroo. At this festival, you are accepted and celebrated. Along with a Jesus tent, there is a sober tent, known as “Soberoo,” for those who do not want to partake in alcoholic beverages.
Bonnaroo boasts a $52 million economic impact on the community and, along with its initiatives, continues to evolve and reach new heights.
Next year, when you see Rebecca dressed in one of her unique costumes, think about its initiative, and celebrate the universal language of music with the ones you love. GN
