National Folk Festival: how to communicate when your texts won't send

With the National Folk Festival bringing upwards of 80,000 people to Salisbury, cellphone service could be slow and spotty. 

The National Folk Festival will be in downtown Salisbury for the first time from Sept.. The free event will bring over 350 musicians, artists and craftsman to the city and will run yearly through 2020. 

With a large amount in one place all trying to contact friends and family or post on social media, cellphone towers and Wi-Fi towers could become overwhelmed and make sending anything impossible. 

Here are a few tips on how to survive the communication blackout if it does happen.  

Make a meeting spot

Check out the festival map before heading downtown. Choose a meeting location that's clear and exact like a specific food stand or a landmark like the Downtown Salisbury sign facing Route 13. 

When you make it to the festival grounds, visit the decided meeting spot to make sure everyone knows how to find it and the exact spot. 

Use the meeting spot when someone gets separated from the group or if you decide to split up for different musical sets. 

Purchase walkie talkies 

Without proper cellphone service the best way to communicate is through walkie talkies which won't using the towers. 

While you won't want to have a whole conversation using these, walkie talkies are good for quick conversations to share locations or updates. 

Pack a pool noodle 

This isn't my favorite method, but I've seen it work as a way to keep groups together in packed spaces. 

Pack a pool noodle in the center of your backpack and zip it so it stands upward when the bag is on your back. Choose a fun color like blue, pink or lime green. The colorful marker will work as a way to keep everyone in your party together especially when you're walking through large crowds. 

Some people get creative by using other pool floating toys or signs, but make sure whatever you're using it's obstructing the view of others when watching a performance.

More:National Folk Festival 2018: What you need to know for Salisbury's big show

More:National Folk Festival to drive change for Salisbury

More:National Folk Festival: Where to eat on the festival grounds

More:See who will be performing at Salisbury's National Folk Festival