Give up any preconceived notions that music festivals are just for hippies and transients. We all have an inner free spirit waiting to be released through music. Who doesn’t love dancing outdoors, listening to our favorite bands play live under a starry summer sky with a collective group of happy people?
Even if you shy away from large groups, it’s time to embrace the crowds and the buzz. Festivals are a celebration of peace, love and summer fun you don’t want to miss. This handy festival guide covers festival prep, arrival and survival, plus tips from local radio host and festival lover Laurie Logan.
Planning and preparation: You’ve been bombarded by propaganda for weeks leading up to festival season and hopefully have narrowed down your choices. Time is running out and ticket miracles rarely occur, so get on it. Line up reliable transportation, accommodations and time off work well in advance. Give yourself a travel time buffer to allow for unforeseen circumstances, especially if you’re hitting up a music festival further from home.
Arrival: Don’t forget your tickets! Bag contents are checked at the gate so keep it legal. Big bags are not good dance partners so opt for a small backpack or a fanny pack. Blanket real estate is cut throat so get in early and stake your turf with your blanket.
Survival: Cash is a festival must. Vendors, food trucks, beer gardens and other temptations like swag mostly prefer cash, although Squamish Festival only offers transactions via pre-paid wristbands.
Let yourself go: Festivals are one of the few occasions when it is cool to cut loose. Let your hair down, go bohemian, and over the top is always welcome. Dancing outdoors to live music with tens of thousands of other music lovers is an experience in itself. People are too absorbed in their own little world to worry about yours, so cut up a grass rug. Anything goes and what happens at the festival stays at the festival.
Don’t forget a reusable water bottle: Buying water at $2 a hit adds up pretty quickly. Most festivals have water taps for refills so do yourself and the planet a favour and bring a reusable water bottle. Plus, if you end up at a friendly campsite and are offered a happy pop you’ve got a glass at the ready.
Wear a big scarf: Even if it’s 30 C outside during the day, evening temperatures can drop quickly so you might to need to add another layer. A giant scarf is a great option because its light and stashable, can double as a blanket, or even a headscarf if you need an emergency change of clothes.
Plan a meeting spot: Choose a meeting place like your favourite vendor tent, sound booth or beer garden so you can still have a good time while you wait to reconnect with your friends. You don’t want to spend an hour standing by the porta-potties!
Be sure to check out festival FAQs online before you go. Here are a few favorites to get you started:
