National Folk Festival: what essentials to pack, what to leave at home
Meg Ryan
Preparing to attend a music festival can involve a lot of planning.
Which musicians to see, where to stay and what to eat are all big topics of conversation. But, most importantly, what to pack to stay prepared for a busy weekend.
The National Folk Festival will be in downtown Salisbury for the first time from Sept. 7-9. The free event will bring over 350 musicians, artists and craftsman to the city and will run yearly through 2020.
Background: National Folk Festival to drive change for Salisbury
Being ready for a weekend of arts and culture can be easy if you know the essentials to bring.
As an avid music festival attendee, going to everything from Indio, California's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival to New Orlean's Voodoo Music + Arts Experience and Dover, Delaware's Firefly Music Festival, I think I have a good amount of experience being prepared for a weekend of music and art.
While every festival has its own list of prohibited and non-prohibited items, I've put together a list of items that are usually universally accepted on festival grounds. But adjusting this list to personal needs and event requirements is necessary.
Now, get packing with these recommendations.
Small to medium-sized backpack: the festival isn't allowing big backpacks, but smaller sized ones help make carrying everything you and your family need easier. Plus, in tight crowds, backpacks can be placed on the front of your body keeping your items reachable and in eye's view.
Cell phone: This is the key to keeping in contact with friends and family during the festival while documenting the event. However, with high phone usage in one area might make sending messages and photos difficult, so a walkie-talkie might be useful for easier communication.
Spare car key: It's easy for things to get lost on festival grounds no matter how careful you are. In the event that your car key gets lost, giving a friend or family member a spare key assures everyone can get home while the other one turns up in lost and found. Just make sure not to place the spare key on your car tire or anywhere under your car for safety measures.
Small wallet full of credit cards and cash: The National Folk Festival recommends guests bring cash along with electronic payment. But that doesn't mean you have to bring every loyalty card and coupon in your wallet. Transfer necessary items like cash, cards and I.D. to a smaller wallet allowing for more room in your bag or pockets.
Water bottle: While the festival lists bottles as not permitted on festival grounds, leaving a water bottle in your car is important in case of emergency. Water stations will be around the festival grounds where attendees can purchase water bottles.
Portable charger and cable: Making sure your phone doesn't die is crucial during an all-day outdoor festival. Bring a portable charger and cable to make sure you can keep in contact with others and capture memorial moments. If you can find a charger that holds multiple chargers or is solar powered, that's a plus.
Cleansing wipes: Let's face it -- outdoor festivals can make anyone feel grimy. Pack a travel pack of wipes to clean up throughout the day and feel refreshed.
Ibuprofen or other prescribed medications: Whether you take prescribed medications daily or have a tendency to get headaches, packing needed medications will make the day run safety and painlessly.
Sunscreen and bug spray: These two are no-brainers. Being outside all day in Eastern Shore weather means sun and bug protection.
Hand sanitizer: Don't rely on whatever hand washing stations the festival provides and bring your own just to be on the safe side.
Toilet paper: This may seem silly, but the amount of times portable toilets run out of toilet paper right when you need it can be often. While the toilets are usually monitored at festivals, bringing your own supplies can cut down on waiting time and could even help you move up in the bathroom line if you share with others.
Sunglasses: Another no-brainer. When it's a sunny day and you're trying to get a good view of your favorite, sunglasses are a necessity.
According to the National Folk Festival website, the following items are not permitted:
- Pets (service animals are permitted)
- Coolers, Large Backpacks
- Alcohol
- Bottles/glass containers
- Contraband (drugs and weapons)
- Laser pointers
- Flying objects (drones, kites, Frisbees, footballs, etc.)
More Folk Festival:
National Folk Festival: Where to eat on the festival grounds
See who will be performing at Salisbury's National Folk Festival
Salisbury to begin closing streets, parking lots for National Folk Festival