The Sherp helps shed light on the many reasons why attending the New York Festival is an absolute no-brainer.

There is no shortage of music talent in New York. As a mecca of culture and entertainment, New York satisfies its residents with a seemingly-endless amount of live music events and festivals. As EDM continues to grow, more events pop up to satisfy the appetite of concert-goers. Memorial Day weekend is one of special note, especially in the coming year.

This year will feature the first American edition of the World’s longest running festival – Mysteryland, at Bethel Woods – the previous venue of the legendary Woodstock Music & Art Festival. Here are a few of the factors that will make attending the festival a much easier decision for you.

1. Because it’s Bethel Woods

Jimi Hendrix mesmerizing Wood Stock. The hallowed grounds of Bethel Woods, The same place that 400,000 young people participated in one of Rolling Stone’s 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll and created a piece of American lore that will live on forever, attendees of Mysteryland’s inaugural US event will be able to continue the legacy of “3 Days of Peace & Music.” In its current state, the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts houses and amphitheater that accommodates 15,000 in place and the legendary stage setups that Mysteryland is known for will only serve to make this a seminal dance music event in US history.

2. No Wallet, No Problem

Festival Organizers ID&T has engaged the world’s leading RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) access control and cashless payment providers Intellitix to deploy their cashless payment system, IntelliPay, across the entire festival site. Customers can add funds to their account pre-event, set up automatic top-ups and, crucially, receive refunds automatically on any remaining balance post-event. There will also be top up stations available across the festival site, accepting credit cards, debit cards and cash. So there’s no need to carry cash inside the festival grounds, a huge weight off your shoulder.

3. The Hot Air Balloon

Rekorderlig, the premium hard cider brand from Sweden, has partnered with Mysteryland to offer hot air balloon rides over the festival grounds. This is the opportunity of a lifetime, as you’ll get to view the grounds of the original Woodstock from a completely unique perspective. If there were something that would have made Woodstock better, it would have been hot air balloon rides! Rides can be purchased at the festival.

4. There’s no such thing as too much food.

Sometimes music festival food can be hit or miss. Unless there’s food. Plenty of good food. Smorgasburg is an open-air market held every Saturday at an open lot in across at Brooklyn on a waterfront lot. The New York Times dubbed this festival-style food market “The Woodstock of Eating,” so what would be more fitting than for the food fest to travel to the first festival held on the historic Woodstock grounds? The market will feature a Brooklyn Wok Shop and roasting company, Greek food, a farmers market, and much more.

5.The Sunday School Festival

At festivals of this nature, it’s unbelievably easy to get locked in at the Mainstage. They’re big, crowded, filled with the “best” DJs and an easy meeting spot for a lot of people. That said, one of the best favors that anyone could do for themselves is take a walk away from the Mainstage and go explore a stage with an artist and style of music they’ve never heard. Mysteryland has teamed up with the popular Sunday School party for a 3 stage “mini-festival” inside of a festival filled with a cross-section of today and tomorrow’s techno stars. Check out the billing for the Sunday School ‘Mini Fest’ above.

6.Blistering Line – Up & Stages

The organizers, ID&T, have created an incredibly diverse lineup, covering everything from music and art, food, to experience and personal well being. Many other festivals boast only a lineup of ‘big names,’ but Mysteryland offers this and more. The mainstage line – up features artists who are in the prime of their careers individually – From Ultra Music Festival openers The ChainSmokers, to rising star Oliver Heldens, and the ever growing and awe inspiring Kaskade – the roster features the best that exists out there – in the electronic music scene.

The Stage designs are also set to be spectacular – living up to ID&T’s reputation of bringing the most visually appealing stages to top music festival around the world – TomorrowWorld, Tomorrowland, Sensation, Life In Color.

7. Chill Out At The Healing Garden

The healing garden will be an essential stop for all of those attending the festival who want to explore their minds. Mysteryland is really all about finding peace, love and happiness, and this designated area will feature yoga, meditation and healing flow, a healing aroma pod, a fire goddess, true mirror palace, and many more magical adventures. A great way to lay back and regain some energy.

8. Get Married At Mysteryland !

Two Mysteryland attendees have planned their wedding to take place on Saturday, May 24, with all of the wedding ceremonies being organized by Mysteryland. Tying the knot is quickly becoming a common sight at major festivals, you can check out our exclusive feature on it HERE.

9. Never Run Out OF Battery

The situation isn’t a new one: You’re looking to meet up with your buddies, but look at your phone for the first time in what feels like hours to discover that it’s dead. In plenty of other places you’re shit out luck, thanks to the festival organizers at Mysteryland, there will be charging points located throughout the campgrounds and the festival site. They even offer lockers that are complete with its own mobile phone charging point in it. So you’re not losing your buddies or your new rave wife any time at Mysteryland so you can focus on jamming to the music.

10. A Meteor Shower

Scientists are predicting the biggest and most visible meteor shower of 2014 will take place late on Friday, May 23rd into the morning of the 24th. Comet 209P/Linear is supposed to pass by Earth that night and the result will be between 100 and 400 visible meteors per hour, and luckily, it’ll be the beginning of a New Moon, which means the sky will be dark. Scientists are also expecting the Northern United States and Southern portions of Canada to have the best viewing area. A visual treat for all.

Once again, The Sherp urges you to start packing and make a quick trip to this incredible gathering – buy your tickets HERE.