Hooray for summer! If your town is anything like ours, there’s bound to be an annual summer event taking place nearby where there’s good vibes and everyone is welcome. Here in Maplewood, NJ, we just had Maplewoodstock earlier in July and it was a total blast — a free, family-friendly, two-day music and art event that’s been happening here for 20 years! Everyone in town gets all jazzed up for it and we were no exception.
There’s sure to be a similar event in your area with free local music and fun for the whole family. We want you to be ready for anything — here are a few tips to help get you through to that last set…
Family Festival Checklist:
Shade > Sunburn sucks, people. If you are allowed to bring a canopy, that’s definitely the way to go (Dick’s had them on sale for $39 recently). At the very least, be sure to wear a hat and bring 50+ SPF sunscreen to reapply every few hours.
Food > There are bound to be food trucks or concessions available, but check in advance to make sure. This might be an opportunity to save a few bucks with a well-stocked cooler. If you opt to BYO, just be sure to avoid dairy and mayo-based items. And include some edible refreshment like melon, berries, and cukes to cool off with.
Beverages > Water, duh, but maybe you can include some adult beverages, too. Most festivals won’t be looking to bust anyone with a few beers, just slap a koozie over it and don’t flaunt it. It’s the underage crowd that they are usually looking for.
Chairs > A blanket on the ground gets real old, real quick. Consider bringing a low-profile beach chair to help you go the distance.
Clothes > Try to wear something lighter colored to avoid absorbing too much sun and, as mentioned earlier, be sure to have a hat. Wear shoes or sneakers, too. Sandals + Port-a-potty = Gross.
Night-time > It’s going to get dark, so pack a flashlight. And maybe get some glow-sticks to make sure your kids are well-lit, too.
Other stuff > Bug spray, sanitizer, sunglasses, neck gator, and anything else you think might be essential.
We’re big supporters of our local events, artists, and musicians, and we have so much gratitude and respect for those that volunteer their time to plan and execute this stuff. We raise a glass to all of you. Cheers!
By Jon Hansell | July 26, 2023