Phish IT Festival 2003: Whatever You Do, Take Care of Your Shoes
In the summer of 2003, Phish fans gathered in the remote setting of Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine, for one of the most memorable music festivals of its time: the Phish IT Festival. Fans from across the country journeyed to this northernmost tip of New England for two days of music, community, and unforgettable moments. The event, which took place over Labor Day weekend, drew over 60,000 fans, transforming the deserted air base into a vibrant, if temporary, city of Phish devotees.
One of the most iconic memories from this festival was the sight of countless shoes left behind in the mud and on the tarmac, immortalized in the photographs from “Whatever You Do, Take Care of Your Shoes.” The muddy ground became a common obstacle as fans danced, stomped, and wandered around the sprawling venue. As the music played on, countless shoes were abandoned, each telling its own story of dedication, exhaustion, and unbridled celebration.
These photographs capture the essence of the Phish IT Festival: the freedom, camaraderie, and raw experience shared by fans. For some, these lost shoes were a small sacrifice to fully immerse themselves in the music and the moment, symbolizing the lengths fans will go to connect with the music they love. The images serve as a lasting tribute to the unique spirit of the Phish community, encapsulating a weekend where music and memory intertwined, leaving a lasting mark—quite literally—on the land.
Explore these evocative images and relive the Phish IT Festival, where “taking care of your shoes” became a memorable part of the experience.
