Should I go to a music festival?

Now that summer is coming to a close, I wanted to talk about music festivals! So, in the last four years or so, I have been able to experience the excitement of music festivals and have some of my dreams come alive. My first music festival was the Firefly Music Festival in 2012. I was totally new to everything; I even went alone. All I knew was that my favorite band, The Killers, we're going to be there. I also had a feeling I was going to have the absolute best time. I had no idea about the amazing friends you meet, the overpriced food and porter potty situation. I also didn't know about all the cool stages, artist signings or happiness that you feel when going to a festival. Because for me, it's truly a festival, a celebration of music and loving fans.

So, although the sticker price of the ticket at first may be a little detrimental to your bank account, you can't put a price on the experiences you make. The excitement of going to the festival, and the talk about it before hand alone is the best. Counting down the days, hours, and minutes is all so exciting. And then THE DAY COMES, and you get into your car, throw on the music, and ride to wherever your home is for the weekend. The day getting into the festival is great because you become acquainted with your neighbors all around you, and you even become close with some, if not all of them. "Does anyone have extra shampoo? Or does anyone have a flashlight?" Since you become pretty close with the people around you, asking things from your neighbors, or giving things to those around you is a totally awesome and normal thing. Everyone is there for a great experience; the magic of the weekend. People are there for you no matter what.

The first day when the music starts is my favorite part. Everyone rushes to the entrance of the festival. Joy and adrenaline is running through people’s veins. All the music goers are ready to see the artists they have been waiting for. Getting actually into the festival might take longer than usual since everyone and their brother is waiting to get inside. But, as soon as you get in, time stops, and everything you have been waiting for is finally coming true. You don’t have to think about your job or paper you have to write for class the next day. The next couple of days are yours. You get to know the stages that you will be running to back and forth, and probably which will be your favorites. You get to try around various food stands that circumference the festival. Which are affordable, and which are asking for your entire wallet, and an arm and leg. I always go over to the merchandise the first day to see what I can get my hands on before it sells out. I hope to see if I can find any gems and souvenirs. And then the last performance of the night comes along and finishes out for the night and you proceeded to go back to where your camping. Since you still have energy running through you, you may still stay up and socialize with everyone around you, and even pull an all-nighter. Or you could be like me and sleep to preserve your energy for the next day (even though it can be super hard).

On the second day, everyone is still taking about the acts the night before and how amazing, or not so amazing their night was. As you get up the next morning, (maybe afternoon) you see some people with still body or face paint on, excited for what more is to come. And then when the night starts to unfold again, you have just as much fun, or more, than the night before. You become even more acquainted with the festival grounds, and it even feels more like home. You also start to realize the best ways to get to point A to point B, the best bathrooms, food spots, and maybe even hidden places that you might think that only you know about. Finally, everyone becomes a bit tired on the second to last day, but you are excited for what’s more to come, and you don’t want to go home just yet, maybe even ever.

Finally, the final day rolls around, people seem a little more sluggish, but never turn down the chance to have a little fun. Before you know it, reality will come back to you. As you enter the festival, possibly for your last time, everyone makes each moment count. Even to the final note of music. Because for me, its not about the ticket price, or the cost of the festival itself, (even though I do try and make it as minimal as possible) it’s about the memories you make, the friends that come along the way, and the stories and friendships that remain years and years down the line. Because in the four years so far that I have been able to go to these music festivals, I’ve had one awesome heck of a time.