NEWS
EVENTS
Festival survival kit
Thursday 27th June 2013 | Meganne
For first time festival goers or those that have been but always forget, a guide on what to take from someone with first-hand experience will always come in handy.
Equipment:
· Tent – For weekend ticket holders tents are essential. Using a one man tent for four of you may seem okay beforehand, but you will regret this after the first hour of trying to sleep. Choose a tent with enough space for all of your belongings as well as the number of people.
· Sleeping bag – A thick and warm sleeping bag will not only provide a bit more comfort, but as the nights can get extremely cold, warmth.
· Chair – More time is spent around the campsite than you think. For the hours the arenas are closed, you are more than likely to be around the camping area. A chair is key for comfort and socialising.
· Travelling rucksack – Do not be one of those people everyone laughs at for taking a suitcase to a festival. Impractical and awkward, avoid taking a suitcase or wheeled bag at all costs. A large travelling rucksack has enough space for everything you need and ensures all your belongings are kept together. Therefore leaving your hands free and leaving you with a half decent walk to the site.
Food/drink:
· Water – The most basic but crucial piece of kit. Don’t stock up on six, two litre bottles that’ll be a pain to carry. Bring around two large bottles, drinking water taps are situated all over the site so re-filling is easy.
· Cereal bars – A quick and easy morning snack that requires no effort. They have long sell by dates and will give you the energy boost you need after two hours sleep in a half-built tent.
· The food on-site is favoured by most people and there’ll be something available for all tastes.
Clothing:
· Wellies – Although stereotypical, wellies are an absolute must at a festival. For Glastonbury, Latitude, Creamfields or any other British festival, no other shoes would be suitable with our likeliness of mud and rain.
· Waterproof jacket – Rain is possible at any stage of the weekend and spending the day dripping isn’t ideal.
· Sunglasses – Whether or not the sun is out, you’ll be thankful for taking a pair of sunglasses. For those girls who don’t want the stress of make-up, wearing your favourite sunglasses is the perfect solution. They are also perfect for hiding your hangover eyes. Do not forget them.
Toiletries:
· Wipes and/or toilet roll – Once again, a necessity. Nothing is provided to you by the site and wipes are very versatile. By the end of the festival everyone is on the hunt for spare toilet roll. Save yourself the embarrassment of harassing neighbours for a spare square or two.
· Hand sanitizer – The easiest way to keep germ free.
· Mouthwash – Morning breath is frowned upon and if you want your tent mates to talk to you over the weekend, mouthwash is needed. A whole bottle isn’t needed for yourself, the same goes for the other toiletries, so work together as a group to discuss who brings what, therefore sharing the costs and weight of your bags.
Other:
· Money – The large variety of food stands and shops are probably the best and easiest way of eating something substantial each day at a low price. They vary from Chinese and Indian, to fish and chips, jacket potatoes and Italian. There are also small supermarkets on site.
· Phone – Whether it’s your old Nokia 3310 or the most up-to-date iPhone, it’s a must to have one with you. With tens of thousands of other people there, it’s easy to get lost or lose your group. If you don’t want to lug a camera around with you, your phone is perfect for capturing your favourite band or for a group photo of your weekend.
· Tickets – Without your ticket there is no way you can enter the site. Due to the amount of counterfeit tickets, without your ticket there is no way of entry.
· ID – For those 18 and above, ID is needed to obtain an 18 and over wristband. These wristbands prove to workers that you are above age and can be served alcohol and cigarettes. By having this wristband it means ID doesn’t have to be shown every time you buy a drink.
Although it may seem like a much larger list than you expected, it’s better to be slightly over prepared than underprepared and spend the whole weekend wishing you’d remembered your vintage sunglasses, £10 phone or toothpaste.
Meganne Scott
@_megscott
