Bluesfest Volunteers Discover Bizarre Items in Lost and Found

At this year’s Bluesfest, volunteers uncovered an array of unusual items in the festival’s Lost and Found, sparking both surprise and laughter. While it’s common to find wallets, phones, and jewelry, some of the discoveries left the volunteers pondering the stories behind them.

Kathryn Carruthers, a volunteer with over 15 years of experience at Bluesfest, shared the standout find of the year: a small zippered bag filled with vomit. Describing the item as “rather disgusting,” Carruthers noted that the Lost and Found bin often contains more personal belongings that patrons mistakenly leave behind. “We get things that shouldn’t be off people’s bodies,” she remarked, referring to items like underwear and other clothing.

Another volunteer, Hannah Greave, who has been part of the Bluesfest administrative team for approximately four years, recounted a particularly peculiar item turned in this year—a single cowboy boot. “That’s a new one,” she said with a chuckle. “That’s been the funniest thing so far this year.”

As the festival winds down, it is common for volunteers to find an assortment of lawn chairs left behind. Greave referred to last year’s experience, questioning how someone could forget an entire lawn chair. “How do you forget and lose a whole lawn chair?” she asked incredulously.

Among the more bizarre items discovered in past festivals was an old-school gas mask. Greave described her surprise at its presence, wondering about the rationale behind bringing such an item to a summer music festival. “What’s the thought process of wearing that to the festival?” she pondered. “A cosmetic purpose?”

Despite the unusual finds, volunteers express satisfaction in returning lost items to their rightful owners. Greave emphasized the relief patrons feel when they retrieve their belongings. “People are very, very relieved when we have the things that they need,” she said. “We like people getting their things back.”

As cleanup begins at the festival site, Carruthers noted the influx of items turned in, especially wallets, identification cards, and phones. “A lot of the time, things will be tucked under a tent,” she explained, highlighting the challenges of keeping track of personal belongings in a crowded environment.

Many festival-goers often do not check the Lost and Found bin, assuming their items are lost for good, particularly those with sentimental value. Carruthers remarked, “Most people, when they find stuff, they do turn it in.” Her experience reflects a positive aspect of human nature, where individuals seek to help others by returning lost belongings.

The quirky stories from the Lost and Found at Bluesfest not only entertain volunteers but also illustrate the vibrant, albeit chaotic, atmosphere of large music festivals.