Ever wonder what it’s like to camp out at a remote location for four straight days to see some of your favorite artists play from dawn until dusk?
Well, it’s amazing, and I speak from experience.
This past weekend I went to Lightning in a Bottle held in Bradley, California (also known as butt f*ck Egypt because it’s in the middle of nowhere). My friends and I packed our cars and drove 10 hours to see some amazing artists and DJs. Although this was an amazing experience, it could have gone a lot smoother than it did.
Being my first camping festival, I was ill-prepared for what to bring and what to expect. So to ensure you don’t make the mistakes that I do, I’ve made my survival guide to camping at festivals.
1. Always meet with your group before you depart
This helps with not double-packing anything that would otherwise take up extra room in an already-cramped car.
2. Look at the weather
Although I went with people who had gone to LIB last year who told me just how hot it would be in the day and cold at night, still check the weather because I was not entirely ready for the weather.
3. Pre-plan your outfits
Again, it will help designate space for other things you might need. As a notorious over-packer, this helped immensely and also aided in making my days at the campsite less stressful. Layers, scarves, and glitter are all great things to have at a festival like this. Here are some of mine!
4. BABY WIPES
Unless you’re willing to pay for showers (if there even are anywhere you’re going), bring these bad boys. Even with these, I was still dusty, dirty, and smelly after those four days
5. Bring lots of cash
Thought the ticket and gas were all you had to pay for? Think again. Everything at festivals cost a buttload, plus you’ll be wanting to shop for some keepsakes and cute clothing. Emphasis on the cash too, because although vendors are getting good about using SquareCash and what not, most still don’t take credit card.
6. Bug spray
There was a tarantula in our neighbor’s tent. Don't know if bug spray works on tarantulas, but it's better than nothing. That’s all I have to say.
7. Air mattress
You may think it’s boujee for camping, but it honestly saved my life. After hours on hours of dancing and walking the fairgrounds, it’s so nice to go and lay on any type of mattress rather than the cold hard ground.
8. Bring the best floatie
I have never seen so many cool floaties in one place. The lake was filled with flamingos, donuts, watermelons, ginormous peacocks, ducks, and unicorns. Make sure your group is well represented in the floatie game.
9. Lights/lanterns
Unless you’re nocturnal and can see only by moonlight, I highly suggest these so you’re not stumbling around your camp. Or possibly stepping on a tarantula.
10. Have a totem
With large crowds (this year’s LIB had 40,000+ people) it is SO incredibly hard to find your group if for some reason you get split up. So I suggest getting some sort of marker that makes your friends easy to find. We used a piñata we found at Walmart. We named him Deeno the Dino.
