Coming up in Atlanta within the next few months we’ve got the Shaky Knees Festival at Atlantic Station along with Music Midtown in Piedmont Park. A great line-up at festivals like these is going to attract a lot of people. But in this article, here are some helpful hints to make you stand apart from the crowd. Prepare yourself like it’s nobody business! You will look like the professional music-goer when it comes to battling unpredictable weather, de-hydration, sunburn and those over-flowing port-o-potties.
For starters, be sure to wear the right clothes. Sandals may sound like a great idea in warm weather, but honestly, if you plan to get close to the stage or plan to be walking around a lot you want to protect them little toes! Dress in layers, too. It’s easy to take a hoodie and tie it around your waist during the day, but after the sun drops you might be thankful that you have it. Also, a bandana is not only a great fashion accessory, but it can help keep sweat out of your eyes and help to cool you down. ExOfficio Bugsaway bandanas can be worn a variety of ways for versatile protection. Permethrin, the active ingredient in Insect Shield, is invisible, odorless and tightly bonded to the fabric fibers, and it lasts for up to 70 washes! It repels mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers and midges. They also come in a lot of colors choices so you’re certain to get the color to match your personality!
Second, a way to save yourself some money by not having to buy overly-priced bottles of water is bring a water bottle of your own! Although most security guards won’t allow open containers into the festival, most of the time they will allow you to bring in an empty water bottle. If you’re trying to save space and free up your hands, the Container Store offers a really cool collapsible cup. This cup is not only good for saving space, made of plastic infused with Microban®, which inhibits the growth of odor and stain-causing bacteria. It collapses when not in use and includes a built-in pill case on the lid, which is perfect for some headache medication. Between loud music and possibly heat, you’ll be thankful to have some on hand just in case you need it.
Another item that is helpful to pack is one of my favorites, Palmer’s Cocoa butter lip balm. Cocoa butter is a natural moisturizer derived from the cocoa bean. This is the same cocoa bean that brings us chocolate. Mmmmmm! So not only does it give you soft, kissable lips but it does contain SPF 15 which will help keep your lips from getting sunburned, too!
Wondering how to go about carrying all of these mentioned items? Café Press not only offers really cute messenger bags, but you can customize them with pretty much any design, picture or saying you can think of that you want. The strap itself will be comfortable on your shoulders since you carry it more on your back than on your shoulder.  Prices are based on the size of the bag and how elaborate of a design ordered. Either way, it’s totally worth the money!
Last, but certainly not least, if faced with an appallingly dirty toilet or the lines for the bathroom are insanely long, don’t feel that you are a physical disadvantage from men. It is possible for women to urinate standing up. Just use the Shewee! Shewee is a molded plastic funnel which slips comfortably into the zipper of your pants to allow you to urinate privately and easily in a standing position. After use, it can easily be cleaned with wipes, and stored in a plastic bag. Sound a little gross to store something you pee’d on in your bag? Just envision full port-o-potties, and it’s not so bad after all?
If not well prepared, you of course can still have a really great time at a music festival. But in my opinion, if well prepared, without much effort, you can really have an amazing time!
