Thursday, December 30, 2010 - Blog on a Log
5 Unusual Items to Pack for a Summer Festival
The Winnipeg Folk Festival takes place next week, and I (like so many Winnipegers) am pulling out gear, packing my bags, and getting ready for an amazing extended weekend of music and fun. The WFF is one of the largest festivals of its kind in North America, but it's just one of many varied summer festivals taking place this season all over the Northern hemisphere.
As I compiled my packing list, I started to think: regardless of whether your festival of choice features music, paddling, or celebrations of headless chicken, some of the best summer festival must-haves are items attendees might not think of. Sure, if you're camping, pack a tent and sleeping bag. Sunscreen's important if it's sunny and rain gear if it's damp, but here are a few more items you might not have thought of that could vastly improve your festival experience:
1. Re-usable water bottle - The Winnipeg Folk Festival has readily accessible water spouts spread throughout the festival grounds for attendees to fill their water bottles or mugs and stay hydrated. Before you head out to any festival, check if they offer similar services. If not, bring along a large container of water to leave in your campsite or car and fill your bottle from throughout the day. Drinks tend to be in high demand in the summer heat, and consequently quite expensive. A simple water bottle can do wonders to minimize both your ecological and financial costs.
2. Headlamp - especially if you're camping, the convenience of a headlamp is going to hugely outweigh any silliness you may feel in wearing one. See toe-stubbing tree roots before feet find them, trek to the outhouse late at night, or find the socks in your bag before you lose your spot at the night's best concert. Much more convenient than a flashlight, a headlamp will keep your hands free for carrying items. Most festival grounds have little to no artificial lights, and even the summer sun does set eventually.
3. Buff - It really speaks to the Buff's versatility that this product keeps finding its way onto so many of my blog posts. So here we go again - besides being the perfect gift for father's day and a great travelling companion, a Buff is also great for festival-goers. The Buff guards against "the cold, sun, wind or dust in rapidly changing outdoor situations" - ‘rapidly changing outdoor situations'.... sure sounds like a festival to me. During the day soak your Buff in water to stay cool or use it to protect skin from the sun. In the cooler evenings you're ready with a scarf or toque. As a headband or hair tie it can help you through the fourth day without a shower, and if any group was ever going to support you rocking the pirate bandanna look it would be your fellow festival pals.
4. Wet Wipes - Speaking of the lack of showers, the most die-hard festivalers will tell you the best way to feel half-human after days on site is a wash with a few wet wipes. An unscented baby wipe is an inexpensive yet effective way to keep clean. If you carry a package around you'll be surprised how often they come in handy - cleaning hands after a messy meal, removing face paint so it doesn't stain your pillow, or if the porta-potties run out of toilet paper (a far too common crisis).
5. A festival chair - Some festivals don't allow chairs at all, but many allow seats of a certain height, or at least have a designated chair area. A trap or blanket is a must-have for all festival attendees, but small lightweight chair can feel like heaven after a few days. If your festival of choice has chair height restrictions, check out our Folk Fest chairs in store, which meet the under-2-feet requirements for the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and should do you well at most summer festivals.
Looking to experience a festival this summer? Check out this list of outdoor events and festivals in Canada
Photo via kevindooley