![Built With Intention: Mariah Chere on the Heart Behind R!AHTFest [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]](https://theelectrichawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CONCERT-BOWL-WITH-POND-2.jpg)
It starts with a feeling. A quiet belief that people are searching for something more than a lineup, something that reminds them they belong. In an era where bigger lineups and larger productions often dominate the conversation, R!AHTFest has carved out a different path: one rooted in intention woven together to create an experience that lingers far beyond the weekend itself. For Mariah Chere, that feeling became R!AHTFest: a community-powered festival where music, art, wellness, sustainability, and human connection exist in harmony. This year’s edition brings that vision to life with more than 70 artists performing across three stages, over 20 immersive workshops, takeovers from four different collectives, a glow party, interactive art, wellness experiences, and countless moments designed to spark genuine connection.
In this exclusive conversation, Mariah opens up about the deeply personal journey behind building the festival from the ground up, the obstacles that tested its foundation, and why creating spaces that leave people feeling more connected than when they arrived has always been the true headliner.
In Conversation with R!AHTFest Founder – Mariah Chere
seradopa: For readers discovering you for the first time, who is Mariah Chere beyond the title of “festival founder,” “DJ”, or “marketing wiz,” and what parts of your life have quietly shaped the vision that eventually became R!AHTFest?
Mariah Chere: At my core, I’m someone who genuinely loves bringing people together. Whether that’s through music, art, photography, marketing, or simply creating spaces where people feel like they belong, that’s always been what drives me. I’ve spent years helping other artists, businesses, and events tell their stories, but R!AHTFest became the place where all of my passions came together. I’ve always believed that community, creativity, and collaboration can change lives, and I’ve personally experienced how festivals can become places of healing, lifelong friendships, and personal growth. I wanted to build something that gave other people that same feeling of coming home.
seradopa: Every festival begins long before the first ticket is sold. Can you take us back to the moment you realized, “I think I want to create something of my own,” and what inspired you to take that leap into building R!AHTFest?
Mariah Chere: I’ve spent years attending festivals and working behind the scenes in marketing and event production. Every event taught me something I loved, but also showed me things I felt could be done differently.
One thing I kept coming back to was how incredibly talented the people in my life are. So many of my friends are musicians, artists, creators, dreamers, healers, and entrepreneurs…but beyond their talents, they’re just genuinely amazing humans. I remember thinking, “How do all of these incredible people not know each other?” If I could bring them all into one place, I knew something really special would happen.
So R!AHTFest started simply because I wanted all of my favorite people to meet. What grew from that was something so much bigger. Those people introduced more beautiful souls, friendships formed, collaborations happened, and the community continued to grow organically.
It was never about building the biggest festival. It was about creating the kind of experience I always wished existed…a place where music, art, wellness, sustainability, and authentic connection all carry equal importance. I truly believe the welcoming atmosphere at R!AHTFest comes from the people themselves. It’s become this magnetic community of kind, creative humans who make everyone feel like they belong.
seradopa: When you first imagined R!AHTFest, what did you feel was missing from the festival landscape that you wanted to create yourself?
Mariah Chere: I felt like many festivals had become centered around headliners, production, and spectacle…which are all incredible…but sometimes the human connection gets lost. I also wanted to see more inclusivity throughout every part of an event, from the artists and workshop leaders to the production team, vendors, and volunteers.
Sustainability was another big piece for me. Festivals can leave a huge impact on the environment, and I wanted to prove that unforgettable experiences don’t have to come at the Earth’s expense. We prioritize recycled materials, composting, reusable dishes and dishwashing for food vendors, trash sorting, Leave No Trace practices, and constantly look for ways to reduce our footprint. This year, we have an award-winning Sustainability Director, Mikey J, leading our initiatives.
Most of all, I wanted to create a safe space for humans to come together. A place where people could reconnect with themselves, each other, and nature; experience amazing music, support artists and creators of all kinds, learn something new, spark meaningful conversations, and leave feeling inspired, refreshed, and reminded of what’s possible when we gather with intention.
seradopa: Looking back on the journey so far, what have been some of the most difficult moments you’ve had to navigate, and what has made those challenges worth pushing through?
Mariah Chere: This year tested us in ways we never expected. Losing our original venue just weeks before the festival after months of planning was incredibly difficult. But watching our volunteers, artists, sponsors, and community rally behind us reminded me that R!AHTFest is about people…not a place.
One thing I wish more people knew is how much early support matters for independent events. Many people wait until the last minute to buy tickets, but those early purchases are what allow grassroots festivals to keep going. If you love an independent event, supporting it early can make all the difference.
Every challenge has only reinforced why creating spaces like this is worth fighting for.
Despite every challenge, seeing people come together to support one another has made every obstacle worth pushing through.
seradopa: Has there been a moment at R!AHTFest where you stepped back, looked around, and thought, “This is exactly why we built this”?
Mariah Chere: Absolutely. It’s never during the biggest performance… it’s in the little moments. Watching strangers become friends, seeing someone moved during a sound healing session, people creating art together, or someone experiencing their first festival and feeling completely welcomed.
One of the most rewarding parts of last year was hearing from attendees afterward. We received so many heartfelt messages, some found love, and some people even told us the weekend was life-changing. Those are the moments that remind me why we do this.
I believe music and art are universal languages that bring us together, but it’s the human connections we make that stay with us long after the festival ends.
seradopa: Music and visual art have long been the heart of festival culture, but R!AHTFest intentionally weaves wellness into that experience as an equal pillar. What inspired you to make healing, mindfulness, and personal well-being such an essential part of the festival rather than simply an added feature?
Mariah Chere: I think a lot of people hear “music festival” and immediately think partying, but I wanted to expand that idea. R!AHTFest is a place where you can absolutely dance your heart out, but it’s also a place to reconnect with yourself, learn something new, or dive deeper into something you already love alongside incredible people.
That’s why we include yoga, meditation, sound healing, educational workshops, and spaces to simply slow down. Whether someone is sober, sober-curious, or just looking for a more balanced festival experience, I want them to feel like they belong here. Our bodies are our temples, and I believe festivals can celebrate both joy and well-being. We want people to leave feeling recharged…not like they need a vacation from their vacation.
seradopa: In a time when many festivals are focused on bigger lineups and larger production, R!AHTFest feels rooted in something more personal: creating genuine community. Why has building human connection become one of the guiding principles behind the festival?
Mariah Chere: Because that’s what lasts. People may forget exactly who played at what time, but they’ll remember the people they met, the conversations they had, and the way they felt. We intentionally keep R!AHTFest intimate because we believe real connection happens when people have the opportunity to actually know each other instead of simply sharing the same space. Our cap is 500 people this year, intentionally.
seradopa: As the festival has evolved, how has your own definition of “community” changed after seeing the relationships, friendships, and shared experiences that have grown out of R!AHTFest?
Mariah Chere: Community isn’t just showing up to the same event or when it’s convenient. It’s showing up for each other the best that we can. I’ve watched artists collaborate after meeting at the festival, volunteers become close friends, attendees support each other’s businesses, and people continue building relationships long after the weekend ends. That’s when I realized we’re not just producing a festival….we’re helping create a network of people who genuinely care about each other.
seradopa: This year’s festival comes with a significant venue change. How did you approach that transition, and what opportunities has this new chapter opened up that attendees may not have experienced before?
Mariah Chere: While the venue change wasn’t something we planned, we chose to look at it as an opportunity instead of a setback. Tico Time River Resort offers beautiful river access, an outdoor adventure park (tube slide, body slide, and ziplines), permanent amenities, cabins, upgraded camping options, and incredible infrastructure that allows us to elevate the overall experience. It reminded us that sometimes the unexpected opens doors you never knew existed.
seradopa: Without giving away too many surprises, what are some new experiences, collaborations, or moments that you’re especially excited for attendees to discover during this year’s R!AHTFest?
Mariah Chere: I’m especially excited about our expanded workshops, interactive art experiences, fashion show, opening and closing ceremonies, and all of the little surprises we’ve tucked throughout the grounds. We really designed this year so people can wander, discover, and create their own adventure. Some of the best moments won’t even be on the schedule.
seradopa: Independent festivals often rely on something much deeper than ticket sales, they thrive because of the communities that believe in them. Why do you think supporting grassroots festivals matters, both for local artists and for the culture of electronic music as a whole?
Mariah Chere: Grassroots festivals are often where artists receive their first opportunities, where new collaborations begin, and where innovation happens because people are creating from passion instead of profit. Supporting independent festivals helps keep the culture diverse, creative, and community-driven. Every ticket supports dozens of artists, vendors, instructors, small businesses, and local creators who may not otherwise have these opportunities.
seradopa: When someone leaves R!AHTFest at the end of the weekend, what do you hope they carry home with them beyond memories of the music?
Mariah Chere: I hope they leave with new friendships, renewed inspiration, and a reminder that kindness and community still exist. If someone leaves feeling more loved and connected…to themselves, to nature, to art, or to the people around them…then we’ve accomplished what we set out to do.
seradopa: As both R!AHTFest and your own journey continue to evolve, what excites you most about the future? Are there dreams for the festival that still live on your vision board, waiting for the right moment to become reality?
Mariah Chere: There are so many dreams still ahead. I’d love to expand our educational programming, bring in more immersive art installations, grow opportunities for emerging musicians and visual artists, strengthen our sustainability efforts, and continue creating a festival that’s accessible and welcoming to everyone.
One thing I’m especially excited about is our fashion show. I’ve been modeling for over 14 years and have walked in hundreds of fashion shows, so bringing fashion to R!AHTFest has been incredibly special. Fashion is another form of art and self-expression, and I love creating a space where designers, models, and artists can collaborate and inspire one another.
My hope is that R!AHTFest becomes something people grow up attending…a tradition that continues bringing generations of creative people together while giving artists of every kind a platform to share their gifts.
seradopa: If someone is considering attending R!AHTFest for the very first time or is simply discovering your story through this interview, what’s one thing you hope they understand about the heart behind everything you’ve built?
Mariah Chere: I hope they know this festival was built with intention and love. R!AHTFest is a completely self-funded, community-powered project. We don’t have a large corporation or major funding behind us…we have people who believe in this vision and are willing to pour their time, creativity, and heart into making it happen.
Every artist, volunteer, vendor, workshop leader, and team member is helping create something much bigger than an event. It’s a reminder of what can happen when people come together with a shared purpose.
I hope people come experience a festival that feels intentional and personal…not overcrowded or disconnected. A place where they can slow down, meet incredible humans, discover new passions, and leave with a renewed sense of hope for the world and what PLUR can truly look like when we live it out.
Join the festivities and be part of the community of R!AHTFest on July 31st to August 2nd!
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