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First published in  Lonely Goat Print Magazine Volume II - #8

Mama K's Festival Tips
by Karen Pepe-Delage (September, 1999)

Summertime is about over but there are still a few good festivals left for you to enjoy. I hope everyone has had "a high time living the good life" at many of the kind gatherings throughout the season. I know I have. I've met many new friends up and down the road and hope to see more of you out and about. I thought of a few new tips to share to help make your good times better. Enjoy...

· Call ahead to see if the parking is far away from the camping. If so, bring a hand truck or a wheel barrow. Sometimes you may have to haul your stuff for quite a distance.

· Beware of first year festivals that promise big names or too many acts. The turn out may be small and there may not be enough cash to pay the bands, causing cancellation and disappointment.

· Try to travel light. Make sure you bring enough clothes for all types of weather, but you may want to buy your food from the vendors at the festival. This may allow you to bring an extra friend or give you a little more leg room.

· Leave your pet at home if you can. Dogs actually prefer not to be at festivals because it can be too hot or crowded. Plus, the trend is getting to be more restrictive for dogs and it would be a hassle to try and find a kennel away from home, not to mention more costly.

· It is important to bring a First-Aid kit in case of the unexpected bummer. Stock with: Band Aids, Burn cream/ anti-biotic cream, Ace bandage, Ice bag (This item actually saved me from having to leave a festival once, when I broke my ankle.), Tylenol, Benadryl for insect stings & Poison Ivy, Pepto-Bismal tablets, Bug repellent, Sunscreen, and Aloe with Lidicone for sunburn.

· For those chilly nights that can occur especially at early Spring and Fall festivals try to invest in a down quilt of some kind. These are light and very effective at keeping you toasty and warm.