Kellysdomain asked me last year when this blog was started to most what was thought to be the ‘ultimate festival packing list’ for her first time fest. Thought I’d repost for the beginning of festival season just in case anyone’s got their first festival coming up or even just a reminder!! 

Happy festing!!!

eastcoastmamas:

The essentials, in my opinion, for comfort. You’re camping for a few days, not going off into the amazon for weeks so don’t bring too much! Definitely makes sure you’ve got the essentials. This sort of stuff varies from person to person, but I’d say you could never go wrong with most of what I’ve got listed. Most festivals have these on their websites, but you really only know what you want through ‘trial and error’ ; )

`tickets- most important thing, of course

`schedule- print one out before you leave, just in case!!!

`tent

`sleeping mat- no matter how much room you think you do NOT have in the car for them, a mat is an essential! it makes a world of difference

`sleeping bag

`pillow

`extra blanket- it can get really cold and sometimes you need to bring something to hit on that itchy straw on the mountain for the hours you take it easy

`toilet paper/baby wipes- believe me, you will need it

`tylenol/tums/whatever- some meds for whatever you usually use for headaches and stomaches will probably be needed at some point over the weekend. any allergy meds or stuff you take daily is a good idea, too. don’t stop the pill for a little bit of partying ; )

`trash bags- for, you know, trash. or a make shift poncho.

`poncho- might as well just bring one ; )

`WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER- I cannot stress this enough. If not water, something big you can fill with water as they have tanks spread across the mountain with water for free, but be prepared to wait in a long line if you don’t go early enough. But you can never go wrong with a case for yourself. i’d invest in a camelback- you can get pretty cheap knock offs at target/wal-mart! 

`sunglasses/sunscreen- it gets hot as balls and you’re going to need that protection

`seeing glasses/extra contacts

`deodorizer- I can’t usually handle all the funk ; ) something like an oil or spray works better as it won’t melt in your bag. i recommend patchouli oil or sandalwood. you can’t go wrong with that stuff and every one usually seems to love it!

`gazebo- if you and your friends can swing it or you have one hanging around… you’ll never regret setting it up. If you don’t have one of those, a light `weight tarp and some sticks!

`chair- for the times you’re chilling at the campsite. It’s a necessity.

`first aid kid- if you’re like me and ness, you’ll need it. I have the tendency to get scrapes and bruises over the weekend, and some times they need a little attending to

`rain boots- some times shit gets muddy

`bug spray

RANDOM ADVICE:

CLOTHES- This one is ESPECIALLY to girls. There has been too many festivals where I take up valuable car space with a bag packed with one outfit per day. Guys are lucky and seem to get away with wearing one pair of khaki cargos, no shirt and some birkenstocks the entire weekend with no question, and I’ll let you in on a little secret. So can us girls. : ) Looking cute is a priority a lot of the time but in retrospect EVERY time I come home from a fest I realize: I wear one thing pretty much the whole weekend. So, when it comes to outfits, this is all you need: 

`one pair of shorts, maybe a back up

`one pair of comfy shoes that can handle a lot of dust, some rugged terrain and all weather. 

`one skirt/one dress- for girls and adventurous guys

`lots of socks and underwear- the only things you can’t go wrong with 

`bandana/headband- also unisex and always a good idea

`a pair of long, light pants

`a t-shirt

`a sweater

FOOD- Unless you want to be ripped off SO hard and spend all your money on sometimes okay/mostly mediocre really greasy food, bring your own. Splurging on a funnel cake and lemonade or at the Solar Power Green Truck ( I can’t remember what that particular truck is called, but if anyone can let us know? It’s solar powered and makes THE best pancakes with bananas and fruit smoothies) happens, and it’s great, but if you want to save most your money for…. you know, t-shirts and things (hehe)… this is the way to go:

`WATER WATER WATER- we covered this, but I’m telling you again. You can get a pack of 24 bottles for 3 bucks at most stores. Just make sure you recycle them! All Good has a great recycling program. You can do even better by investing in a large water cooler- way better for the environment, and that way you can use a reusable water bottle!

`Grill- they ‘allow’ personal grills and I have a little gas one that ALWAYS comes in handy. And propane’s pretty cheap! That way you can grill stuff all on your own and have the feeling of a home cooked meal on the mountain top!

`Grillable stuff: Usually I stick to veggie burgers, bread & cheese for grilled cheese, a pot to put soup in- YES YOU CAN GRILL IT! I felt like a genius when I did it for the first time. Meat eaters, as long as you have a really good cooler and keep it stocked with ice, you can keep some hotdogs/burgers in a tubberware and throw them on. I’ve never tried vegetables themselves, due to the heat, but I bet mushrooms/onions/zucchini and stuff would do great if you’re trying to get a bit fancy.

`Snack food- and lots of it. Granola bars, trail mix, candy (you’ll love it, trust me), chips, pretzels, cereal, crackers, etc. Stuff you can leave in your tent that won’t be ruined or gross from the sun is the best. For the strong willed, apples and bananas and other fruit are the perfect breakfast. 

EXTRA SET OF CAR KEYS!- This one gets its own category because I cannot stress how important this is. I went to THREE Festivals with one boy who EACH time lost his keys over the weekend. Once they were locked in the edge of his trunk and IMPOSSIBLE to get out- we had to break into his car. So if you don’t want to be the asshole who lost/locked your keys in the car and are making your friends stay a few extra days or go realllllly out of their way after a long weekend, bring an extra set. : )

PARTY SUPPLIES- This is always the best list. I would suggest getting most of your ‘actual’ party supplies at the festival, but some stuff is good to get before you get their. For ‘just to pass the time stuff’, pick that up before you go- toys like bubbles and glow sticks. 

`Beer- Super expensive inside, super cheap outside. Sneak it in sleeping bags/shoes/ etc. If you’re THAT cheap. : )

`Liquor- Can’t get inside unless you’re paying by the drink, so pick that up before and roll it in your sleeping bag!

`Bubbles- self explanatory ; ) You can get bubble wands at Wal-mart for a buck. 

`Glowsticks- DON’T BUY EM! Unless you REALLY want to. You can just be one of those people at the show who’s running around and picking OTHER peoples off the ground to throw them in the air at the right time. It has been said to me once, that their job is never done…

`Contraceptives- You never know ; )

`Camera- You’ll definitely want to document your experience! A disposable is probably the best idea, even though you may not get TOP quality, they’ll be really cool looking most likely and if you loose it, it’s not a million bucks down the drain. 

`Something to mark your camp site- ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. You never know when you need saving, and when you have a landmark.. it’s easier to get back home! I’ve been saved by countless unique flags and inflatable animals!

`WATCH- So important. “What time is it….” “Wait… when’s Big G on?” “6.30… but what time is it….” True story. Don’t be those people that miss Big G! Or more importantly…. UMPHREY’S! 

I hope I covered mostly everything, this is a bunch of stuff off of lists we made in the past, and as long as you have that, there’s almost no way you could go wrong!!  LIke I said, lists all depend on the person, but all I need is most of things above and BAM, I’m having a good weekend. Just remember to have a lot of fun, go to that show you really want to see no matter HOW TIRED you are, drink lots of water, and be safe!!!! Happy festing!