Lightning in a Bottle 2017 strikes South County with whole new lakeside spirit.

For the lifetime of Lightning in a Bottle's existence, particularly the last three spent in the southern stretches of Monterey County, it has been many things. 

Exuberant. Loud. Reaffirming. Colorful. Dusty. Delirious. Eye-opening. Sprawling. Nonstop. Intoxicating.

But there's one thing it hasn't been: splashy.

As California's drought has deepened to record levels, San Antonio Lake has dwindled to a scenic but sad—and small—marsh at the center of the yawning lake bed.

With all the recent rains, the lake will be back, providing a whole new element of fun.

For 2017's event, starting next Wednesday, May 24, LiB organizers have already assembled several floating aquatic art installations for festival-goers to climb all over.

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The Weekly has taken various tacks to explain what happens Memorial Day Weekend at the San Antonio Recreation area, swelling the tiny town of Bradley's population exponentially.

Year one's review included five dozen photos and an essay: Chasing inspiration and understanding at Lightning in a Bottle music festival.

Year two's preview (of LIB's 10th installment overall) marveled at what $15 million and hundreds of music acts can conjure out of seemingly nothing: Lightning in a Bottle: The closest thing to Burning Man in Monterey County, with better music.

And year three focused on music, even though the educational/inspirational, yoga/health and all-around art scenes merit stories themselves: Lightning in a Bottle brings electronic dance music innovators to South County with massive Burning Man-like pop-up city.

Going into year four, here's how organizers (wisely) chose to illustrate things:

General ticket sales began Jan. 24, and will sell out.

Information on those various ticket options, the lineup, and lots more appears at the Lightning in a Bottle 2017 website.