The Summer Festival Experience – Need-to-Know Survival Tips Tasmiah Rashid July 7, 2017 Arts & History, Top US Destinations, Travel Tips Ahh…Summer festivals. As the summer sun beckons even the laziest couch potato to get outside and soak in some Vitamin D, it also opens up the floodgates for the best music festivals worldwide, giving way to an incredible range of options for every musical genre, atmosphere, travel locus, and party scene combination you can think of! Maybe you’re heading to Barcelona to get your electronic music fix at Sonar — a 3-day event that’s known as one of the most colorful music festivals in the world. Or you’re embracing your inner hippie while showing off your camping skills at festivals like Glastonbury in Somerset, England and Mountain Jam in Hunter Mountain, New York. No matter where you’re headed, you’ll quickly realize that tents serve as homes, campgrounds turn into thriving neighborhoods, strangers become compadres, and lawns are really just open dance floors. Here are some tips to help you make the most of — and survive — your festival experience! Check the Weather Making it through your summer festival is heavily contingent on the weather, so make sure you do your due diligence before you set out. Check the weather, thoroughly, and pack accordingly. Save yourself the nightmare of being caught in a thunderstorm without any rain gear or, worse, being stuck under the sun all day without enough sunscreen. Does it look like a scorcher? While festival fashion is vital to the summer concert experience, so is making sure you don’t get sick from the heat! A great trick to beat the heat is to wear white. White reflects the spectrum of light, meaning it absorbs the least amount of heat. It may not seem like much, but after 12+ hours under the blazing sun each day, every little bit counts. Invest in a Quality Water Bottle We know what you’re thinking: You’ve already purchased an expensive ticket, a plethora of temporary tattoos, an inflatable tent, and a series of outfits you will probably only wear once, how could there possibly be more?! Well, even without the drinking, partying, dancing and mosh-pitting, you’re body needs to stay hydrated in order for you to have the best time possible. Most concert venues allow you to bring empty water bottles into the event because even they know how essential it is to stay well hydrated. A good water bottle like the one made by The Coldest Water costs anywhere from $20 to $25 and keeps your water cold for up to 36 hours. In comparison, the average cost of an 8 oz. bottle of water purchased in the festival ranges from $5 to $10 per bottle. Muliiply that by the amount of water you’ll need to drink over 3 days and your investment in a good water bottle just saved you a bundle. Pack a Solar-Powered Battery Charger Tweet, snap, Instagram, Facebook… As you rock out to your favorite headliners, you’re going to want to post it all. But in order to share your every moment, there are two things you simply cannot do without a phone and a charger for that phone. Many camp and concert sites (so very thankfully) have charging stations these days, but they’re not always easy to find, so when that measly battery of yours flashes red, it may be difficult to find an outlet to juice up. Solar powered battery chargers a great solution. Unlike other external power banks, the only thing you need for some extra juice is the sun and you can find one in your favorite color for as low as $13 on Amazon. Bring Some Hygiene Essentials The good news is that there are multiple festivals out there that offer hot showers and campground lodging. The bad news: there are just as many, if not more, that don’t. Whether you’re headed out to California to attend the ever-popular Coachella festival — which offers free 24-hour showers and real bathrooms with hand dryers and toilet seat covers — or you’re at Bamboozle where the amenities are slim, hygiene essentials such as wet wipes, hand sanitizer, dry shampoo, travel size mouth wash, toothpaste, and of course extra water, are key. In addition to packing your own H2O to rinse off with, it’s probably a good idea to scout out the closest water station to wash yourself off between sets when you can’t make it back to your campsite. Invest in a Quality Cooler What’s worse than a hangover? A hunger-over. In the midst of heavy drinking, rocking out, and sweating up a storm, you’re bound to build up one heck of an appetite and let’s be honest here, it’s only a matter of time until you get hangry. Having a well-stocked cooler is going to be your saving grace over the next three to five days. With endless, affordable and high-quality options for both classic hard shell coolers or cooler bags, you can tame that insatiable appetite no matter where you go. Hummus, grapes, rice bowls, vegetable sticks, Gatorade, chocolate bars, and — our personal favorite — foil-wrapped leftover pizza slices, are a just a few fantastic items that will make that festival hunger disappear. Some festivals like the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Rocklahoma have a pretty lenient cooler allowance, so go ahead and pile in the goods. Prepare for Scrapes and Scratches The last thing you’re thinking about when you’re jamming out to the Muddy Magnolias at the Ride Festival is how to save yourself from injury. Between the few alcoholic beverages you’ve had by now and all the pushing and shoving you’ll do to get to the front of the stage to see Chance the Rapper, safety hazards are abounding! Be sure to pack a small first aid kit that will fit into your backpack, including the essentials such as bug spray, band-aids, antiseptic wipes, gauze, first aid cream and hydrocortisone for those miserably itchy mosquito bites. Don’t Bring These! You’ve spent a small fortune on these tickets and all the gear in order to prepare. You’ve waited on endless lines, surrendered your hygiene and put your health at risk to make it to this festival. The last thing you want is to be denied entry or get kicked out. Here are some standard no-no’s when you’re thinking about what to bring with you for the jam fest: Glass. Yes, this means no glass bottles. If you’re thinking of bringing condiments, transfer them into plastic containers and/or Ziploc bags. Trying to get your booze on? If you’re 21+ many festivals will allow you to bring in (extra classy) cases of beer cans. Weapons. Pocket knives, pepper spray and baseball bats are just a few items that qualify as weapons. Be sure to check the festival website for the complete list! Fireworks. Or really, just anything involving fire such as tiki torches, Chinese lanterns and firewood/fire pits. While toasting s’mores over an open fire seems like a harmless way to add to your festival experience, many venues don’t allow open flames on site. Check the grounds’ rules regarding fire pits and open fires. Jewelry. Festivals mean crowds and crowds mean potential injuries. Often times, you’ll find specific guidelines regarding accessories, so it might be best to leave that spiked bracelet and those heavy chains at home this time around. FAQs: Q: What should I bring to stay hydrated at a summer festival? A: To stay hydrated, it’s a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle. Many festivals have water refill stations, so you can fill up as needed throughout the day. Q: How can I keep my phone charged during the festival? A: You can keep your phone charged by bringing a portable power bank, preferably a solar powered charger. Make sure it’s fully charged before the festival, and it’ll help you stay connected throughout the event. Q: What should I do if my favorite act clashes with another performance on the schedule? A: If you have a scheduling conflict, prioritize which performance means the most to you and plan to catch the other act at another time if possible. Festivals often have multiple stages, so you can explore and still catch as much as you can. Q: Are there any items I should avoid bringing to a summer festival? A: Yes, there are typically items that are prohibited at festivals. These can include glass bottles, illegal substances, weapons, and large backpacks. Check the festival’s official website or guidelines for a full list of prohibited items to ensure a smooth entry. Q: How do I stay safe in large crowds at festivals? A: It’s important to be aware of your surroundings and stay with your group. If you’re going to split up, set meeting points and times. Remember to keep your belongings close and secure, preferably in a fanny pack or small backpack that you can wear on your front. Also, if you feel uncomfortable or unsafe in a crowd, don’t hesitate to move to a less crowded area. Q: What’s the best way to prepare for unexpected weather changes? A: Besides checking the weather forecast, bring a compact poncho or raincoat, and consider packing a hat and some lightweight, long-sleeved clothing. If it looks like it might get cold, layers are your friend. Remember, it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Q: How can I eat healthily and maintain energy during the festival? A: While festival food can be tempting, it’s good to have a mix. Bring along healthy snacks like nuts, dried fruits, and granola bars. Make sure to eat regular meals, even if they’re small, to keep your energy up. If you consume alcohol, balance it with plenty of water and food. Q: If I feel unwell or need medical assistance at the festival, what should I do? A: Festivals usually have medical tents or stations. Familiarize yourself with their locations when you arrive. If you or someone you know feels unwell, don’t hesitate to seek help. It’s better to be safe and get checked out than to risk your health.
