Firefly Music Festival 2018: Here's what you missed
More than 90,000 people converged onto the grounds of The Woodlands, just outside the Dover International Speedway, for the seventh installation of Firefly Music Festival.
Just like in previous years, campers started trickling in Wednesday, and after that the energy, and inevitable weirdness, escalated in truly mystifying ways.
Although festival organizers have increased security measures, like bomb-sniffing dogs and metal detectors, Firefly is just as free-wheeling as it's ever been — even making a comeback after what many described in 2017 as an "underwhelming" lineup.
This year, Firefly stepped up its game and gave fans a stacked roster of big-name headliners like Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Arctic Monkeys and The Killers.
The results have been a bounce-back, keeping Firefly Delaware's biggest event each year.
Delaware Online photographers and reporters have been on the ground since Wednesday, working to give a full glimpse of the music, the fans and general craziness of Firefly.
Couldn't make the festival? That's OK. You can re-live it here.
Sunday
Sunday was another busy day, with crowds sticking around for headliner Kendrick Lamar and Odesza.
Late Sunday acts Kendrick Lamar, ODESZA keep fans in place at Firefly 2018
There was some tragedy, too. Details are scarce so far about the camper who was found Sunday morning.
Philadelphia woman dies at Firefly
We also took a look at what #MeToo means during music festival season, and at Firefly.
Firefly's partner in #MeToo movement, OurMusicMyBody, aims for awareness, consensual fun
Saturday
Let's be real: Saturday was about Eminem. The Killers were a co-headliner -- and even brought a West Chester, Pa., man on stage to play the drums -- but the crowds were out in droves for the real Slim Shady, who took the stage at 11:15 p.m.
Eminem defiant after Bonnaroo criticism, keeps 'gunshot' sound effects at Firefly
Firefly bounces back with big crowd thanks to buzzworthy headliners, nice weather
Also making the scene at the festival was actor and former NFL star Terry Crews, who had been spotted by fans in Dover the day before.
'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' star Terry Crews spotted at Firefly festival, Dover Gym
Friday
The first full day of Firefly 2018 dawned with gorgeous weather. Weather perfect for breaking a Guinness World Record by showering with hundreds of your new friends before the gates to the festival even open.
'Bachelorette' winner, Firefly and Irish Spring set new Guinness showering record
After a long day at the festival, some fans found themselves phoneless thanks to a prolific pickpocket.
Thieves at Firefly snatching phones from hands, pockets and purses, police warn
Thursday
The first Firefly campers got into Dover Wednesday and by Thursday a lot of them were ready for the festival gates to open. But if they had opted to pick up their wristbands at will call, it was going to be a while before they headed into the festival grounds.
Firefly Music Festival fans frustrated by will-call line on opening day
While many were waiting in line, others were in the festival catching Dover artist Amillion the Poet, who made his Firefly debut.
Wednesday
MORE FIREFLY:
The struggle continues: Firefly Music Festival has had only one female headliner out of 26
Want to visit a Firefly Music Festival camper for a beer and a burger? Think again.
Firefly works with festivalgoers to organize soccer games in the spirit of the World Cup
Health, Firefly officials: Presence of bacteria at water stations poses low risk
Bomb-sniffing dogs, metal detectors ratchet up Firefly security measures
Firefly Music Festival's hidden danger: Carbon monoxide poisoning
Eminem pop-up restaurant Mom's Spaghetti among new offerings at Firefly Music Festival
Contact Matt Moore at (302) 324-2829, mmoore@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @MattKenMoore.