Tips From Fest Vets

As veterans of the festival scene, the My Best Fest team has been there and done that...here’s an expanded list of tips that will make your festival experience fun, safe and memorable.

Download our list of things to bring to help make packing a little easier.

HOW TO HAVE A BETTER FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

• Check out when the artist signings will be...you never know who you may get a chance to meet!
• Sit by the soundboard...hands down the best sound on the field. (Why do you think the tapers set up there?)
• Read the program...many festivals have lots of great activities going on at all times throughout the weekend; take advantage of them!
• Make a menu…your festival family will thank you when they sit down to a “gourmet” camping meal!
• Take lots of pictures...music festivals offer many opportunities to capture really special moments.  Even if you aren’t a professional photographer, get your camera out, you might surprise yourself!
• Check out the non-profits...there are plenty of really amazing groups helping out in lots of different ways.  Stop in and say hi!
• Recycle...it’s not that hard to do!  Just make sure that you designate a bag for your cans and bottles at your campsite.  Some fests even give out green bags to make it easier.
• Do your homework...check out the festival website before you show up.  Many times fests will have lists of things to bring, or information that may influence what you decide to bring.
• Plan your meals around the music schedule…yes, we know that you want to see every band that is playing for the whole weekend, but you need to prioritize and get some food in your belly so you can have your dancing shoes on all night!
• Make sure your wristband is secure…the last thing that you want to do is have to pay for ANOTHER ticket because it fell off. (I have seen this happen, and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.)
• Camp uphill if the terrain permits it…you don’t want to end up sleeping in a mud puddle.
• Stretch...or take advantage of yoga classes.  Your body is doing a lot of standing, dancing, walking around and sleeping on the hard ground.  The best thing that you can do is offer it a little TLC.
• Make sure you know how to get back to your campsite...by being conscious of distinguishing features around your site.  Some folks are so kind that they will hang flags or balloons to help you guide your way.  You don’t want to end up looking for your tent for an hour after a late-night set.
• Put your butts in your pocket…come on smokers, the least you can do is be respectful of our kind mother.
• Bring a plastic bag to the stage...leave with what you came with.  Is it someone else’s responsibility to clean up after you?

THINGS TO BRING

• Silverware...plasticware is unnecessary and does not biodegrade.  Take the extra two minutes to wash a couple of dishes after eating.
• Instruments if you play them…or even if you don’t!  Late-night jam sessions and drum circles are essential!
• Extra cash...you never know when the ATM’s may be down.  You don’t want to count on them (or pay the ridiculous fees).
• A flashlight...port-o-potties can be kind of scary in the dark.
• A kite…they’re great to fly and to watch!
• A hackeysack...this may possibly be the most social sport in the world.  What a great way to meet like-minded individuals!
• Your favorite sports equipment...it’s so much fun to throw a football or a Frisbee (during daylight hours) while your favorite band is playing in the background.
• A chair or two...one of your friends will most likely forget to bring one.
• A costume...bare your flare!  Nobody doesn’t like seeing someone wearing a banana costume, stilts or a Santa Claus suit!
• LOTS of sunscreen…and don’t forget the top of your feet and your ears.  Those are the spots that are so easy to forget!
• Tampons...sorry guys, but ladies, you never know when you (or a friend) may be in need! 
• A roll of plastic drop cloth…this can be cut and used as a great ground cover under your tent or to cover your goods if there is a chance of showers.
• A bike...if you have a rack or the room for it. Bring it along for some exercise, an easier trip for ice or just to increase the amount of people watching that you can do!
• Break out the Radio Flyer…if you have kids this is a great way to transport them (and all of your stuff)!
• A pulley...if you know that you are going to have to hike your stuff in, or up a mountain (Mountain Jam vets, you feel my pain!), a pulley is a great way to lug your gear uphill with less strain on your back.
• A hula hoop...whether you are an experienced hooper or new to the sport, there is no better place to show off those moves than in front of the main stage while basking in the sunshine!
• Bubbles...kids and hippies LOVE bubbles of all shapes and sizes.
• Giant puppets...make your own handmade parade!
• A hammock…they come in many shapes and sizes and some even collapse into a backpack!
• The ingredients for your favorite beverage...is it a Bloody Mary morning?  Do you like Piña Coladas?
• Arts and crafts to keep those hands busy...both kids and adults might enjoy groovin’ to some live tunes with a project in hand on a sunny afternoon.
• Vitamin C...keep that immune system healthy so that you can wear those dancing shoes all weekend!
• Closed-toed shoes...for extra support while walking, dancing or mud-traversing. 
• Extra warm clothes...packing for the worst weather possible will generally keep you dry and warm.
• An aluminum water bottle...there will always be a place to fill up.  Feel free to bring water purifying tablets if you are unsure of the water quality.
• Wet wipes...if you’re not planning on showering all weekend, these will definitely come in handy to feel a bit fresher.
• Wear a hat...the last thing you want to do is get sunburn on your first day at a fest!