Expanding SOAK
Largest population ever this year!
This year at SOAK we are electrified by some major updates to the event. These changes are meant to allow SOAK to continue to grow and increase our ability to be as welcoming and inclusive as we can while at Justesen Ranch in Tygh Valley. All told, the following changes will allow the event this year to grow from 2,000 participants at SOAK*2023 to 2,300 participants at SOAK*2024. That’s an increase in population of 15%!
With an increase in camp applications and art installations, this is going to be the biggest SOAK ever!
The Meadow - new neighborhood
First and foremost we are exceedingly happy to announce a new neighborhood at SOAK named The Meadow! The Meadow is located in an area that was formerly overflow parking near Gate. While it is a little distance from much of the rest of the event, there will be open camping and Theme Camps there that have daytime offerings, and we expect night time to be rather quiet in this new neighborhood.
Parking Passes - new policy
In order to better coordinate an expanded camping area, SOAK is introducing parking passes for the first time ever. This pass will be required to park your car in the parking field for the duration of the event after unloading your belongings at your camp. Note that it is different than the RV pass, which allows you to camp in a camping area in your camper/trailer/RV.
The number of passes in 2024 will not decrease in any significant way from the number of cars that came to SOAK in 2023, although that might change in coming years. Over time this system will allow for potential future expansion of camping areas (which means more tickets can be sold!), and will hopefully encourage more carpooling and a more sustainable SOAK.
While the exact price is still up-in-the-air, it is expected to be fairly nominal. Care will also be taken to ensure participants who absolutely need parking passes will get them such as volunteers, theme camps and art support camps.
Stay tuned for more info to be posted to the Ticket page in the coming days!
SOAK Train - Returning and expanding
This year the SOAK Train is coming back around! The department provides greater support to those in our community with mobility challenges, as well as connects the traditional event space with the new Meadow neighborhood. It will operate for the duration of the event on a regular (enough) schedule, giving participants rides from one area to the next.
Check out the currently proposed route for the expanded SOAK Train this year:
We hope you are as excited about these changes as we are, and that you join us along this journey to make SOAK more fun and accessible for more of our community!
