The vibe at Woodchuck this weekend will be light and carefree, but the atmosphere wouldn’t be possible without the dedication, planning and hard work from the event’s coordinators.

A core group has planned this year’s Woodchuck. The event’s main planner is Jimmy Frey, a senior psychology major. Assisting Frey are former Eastern student Scott Chaplinski and Lucas Thomas, veterans of the festival.

While the organizers of the event help in all aspects, some have more specific roles. Chaplinski was a jack-of-all-trades in preparing for Woodchuck.

“(I helped) with everything from finding property and bands to making sure that there are food vendors and merchandise,” he said.

Thomas helped with booking bands, advertising and getting sponsorships. Another volunteer, Joe Clegg, a graduate of Eastern, said he is in charge of property management.

“I help with anything involving the grounds,” he said.

Klegg said he also helps with security, first aid and making sure water is accessible.

Chaplinski estimated that it ook around three months to plan the event.

Despite the planners’ head start, putting together Woodchuck still proves stressful and comes with some unforeseen challenges. Chaplinksi cites the weather as being worrisome for the coordinators.

“(We) are making sure that the weather holds out,” Chaplinski said. “It’s hard to know when scheduling a few months in advance.”

Chaplinski also said obtaining the property was no easy feat.

“(We had to) find someone that had property willing to let us have this there,” he said.

Klegg also added that on Wednesday the group actively started setting up the property for Woodchuck. In addition to helping set up the area, the festival’s 30 plus volunteers aid in the preparation by doing anything necessary to help.

“(The volunteers) do it all. Anything needed, they just do,” Thomas said.

The planners are also making sure the word gets out about Woodchuck. With two Woodchucks under their belt, they want to make this year’s bigger than ever before.

“I want people to come back to Woodchuck year after year,” Clegg said. “We want to see people interested in it so we can continue to grow in the future.”