It's only been a little over a month, and I'm already in withdrawal. I think it's safe to say that anyone else who got to experience this amazing festival could say the same exact thing. Here's a a great reminder to those knowing how awesome it is as well as a brief background of what goes down at the end of July in the Windy City:
Every year the bustling city of Chicago hosts a large musical festival located in historic Grant Park nestled near the downtown area. This festival, known as Lollapalooza, is a three-day extravaganza filled with unique food, various genres of music, and thousands of dedicated fans. Annually, the festival features some of the biggest names in the music industry, as well as many up-and-coming musical groups, and attracts thousands of attendees across the nation.
Lollapalooza is one of the few places where an individual can enjoy the pleasures of an authentic Chicago-style hot dog or a lobster corn dog while simultaneously listening to the various artists play their sets in the background. It is one of the few places where individuals can all come together in one setting to appreciate the taste in music they all have in common. There is an artist at the festival for every person to enjoy, whether their favorite genre of music is rap or rock.
As a former attendee of Lollapalooza, I can honestly say that it is an experience unlike any other. You’re literally surrounded by thousands of people who share the same interests in music as you do, and there is really no other feeling like it. With that being said, one does not simply “wing” the festival. A lot of strategizing goes behind this weekend.
Tickets for the festival typically go on sale several months before the actual event. Every year tickets sell out in mere minutes, so having multiple devices to ensure you get your tickets is imperative. Only after ticket sales have concluded, does one learn the full lineup. At that time, the festival schedule is also released. Due to the sheer size of the festival, in most cases, four to five artists perform during the same time slot at different stages throughout the park. Given this, strategy is of the utmost importance. Otherwise, you may fail to see a “must see” performance. By pre-planning, you can also find free time to enjoy the various foods the festival has to offer, as well as check out the unique festival merchandise and sponsors’ booths.
The festival generally takes place late-July to early-August. This means the Midwest’s temperatures are at their highest, and to make matters worse, so are the thousands of hot and sweaty bodies surrounding you. It is imperative to have a full water bottle and portable fan on hand at all times. Luckily, there are water stations throughout the park where you can refill your water bottle free of charge.
The key to surviving this weekend, while still being able to enjoy it, is to get plenty of sleep the night before, have your schedule managed, keep hydrated, and don’t let any small obstacles keep you from enjoying your weekend at the festival. We all miss it already, and are already counting down the days until next year.
