This past weekend I had the unique opportunity to work at the Blue Ox Festival, a bluegrass music festival located in Eau Claire, Wis. As an intern for Blue Ox, I was required to be there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the lovely hour of 6 a.m. until all of the patrons had entered for the day at around 9:00 p.m. My duties included taking tickets and giving out wristbands, directing traffic, checking ID’s, and taking pictures around the festival. During my long hours in the sun, I took some time to reflect on all of the things I was learning from being an employee rather than a patron. I decided to compile a list of the ways I will be a more considerate festival-goer in the future, and make the lives of those working a little less stressful.

I will be patient. I know I personally have gone to festivals and concerts where the line to get in is long and I grow anxious, and perhaps even complain about those taking the tickets and admitting patrons. What I may not realize is that those people are probably dealing with glitches in technology, patrons trying to get in with tickets that have already been used, a multitude of questions from guests, and 90 degree weather to top it all off. I will tell myself that for all of the thousands of people attending the festival, there are about ten responsible for getting them all in in a timely manner. When all is said in done, whether I get in there in 10 minutes or 30 minutes, I’m going to get to go have a blast listening to good music with my friends while the employees continue to work. I think I can cut them some slack.

I will listen and follow directions. In only three days of working traffic duty at Blue Ox, I can confidently say it was one of the most tiring and frustrating tasks I’ve ever tried to tackle. In future festival experiences, I promise to avoid thinking I know better than those instructing me. It is safe to say that they aren’t taking the time and energy to stand in the sun and give me step-by-step instructions on where to park just for kicks and giggles. If a future employee tells me to take a right at the sign, I’m going to take a right, even if I see an open spot closer to the entrance on the left. I will respect that they are doing a job and have been given instructions, and I won’t make them want to pull their hair out by completely disregarding everything they say. I’m attending a festival where I will spend the majority of the day on my feet, I think I’ll survive walking the 50 extra feet in the parking lot.

I will have fun and be grateful. Although working the Blue Ox festival, tired and sweaty, may not have been the most glamorous of jobs, the patrons having fun made it completely worth it. Yes, there were times where I just wanted to go home and crawl into bed, but the numerous times I heard, “Thank you so much for doing this, “ made it worthwhile and re-energized me. People had traveled across the country to hear their favorite bands, and there is something contagious about all the excitement that they are feeling. So when I go to my next music festival, I will remember to enjoy myself to the fullest and be appreciative for all of the work that went into making the festival possible. I will understand that unexpected delays may happen, but focus on the music and the fun, unique experience that is attending a music festival.