You probably don’t know this about me, but I adore music festivals. I met my husband at a music festival, and for most of my adult life I have regularly travelled around to them during the Summer. After having kids, my festival circuit wound down considerably, but we still take the kids to one or two a year for some much needed music in the open air, camping, and just plain amazing family fun. See this? It was Judah’s very first festival, and I will remember for a very long time. Not because it was almost comical how insane our first experience of bringing a toddler to a festival was (because that was ridiculous), but because of the moments in between, when the swelling sound of music through the trees made everything just feel right.
One of my first festivals ever was Lollapalooza back in the late 90’s, and since my first step into that crowded field, I knew I had found my home. Cheesy, I know, but festival culture is like nothing else – colorful, welcoming, and embracing to all who visit. It’s therapeutic how spending three days in the woods with live music, good friends, and none of the hustle and bustle of society makes me feel.
So, anyway, now that I’ve bored you to death with my hippie dippy love of music festivals, let’s get practical for a moment. Lollapalooza in Chicago (sponsored by Cottonelle®) is coming up, and if you are planning a trip, there are a few things you need to know about what to pack. I have come up with a list of my top “musts” that I never load up the car without. These items can sometimes mean the difference between a great time and a disaster, so here they are in order of importance.
Comfortable Shoes
This seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at just how many people head into the crowd with inappropriate footwear. There is usually a lot of walking involved, and in high temperatures, you want your feet as comfortable as possible. It is best to leave the flip flops or cotton socks at home, and instead opt for a supportive athletic sandal. My favorite brands are Chaco and Keen, but any outdoor sandal will do as long as it has full support, is breathable, and has had time to be broken in. If you purchase new shoes for Lollapalooza, PLEASE wear them regularly for a few weeks leading up to the event, or else you are in for blisters. Speaking of blisters, no matter what type of shoe you wear, be sure to pack some Moleskin. It comes in thin strips that you apply directly to your skin to prevent blisters.
Your Own Toilet Paper
Yes, this one is an absolute MUST. Music festivals have porta-potties in abundance. Do you know what they don’t have enough of? TP. I learned very early on that the best way to guarantee myself a great clean is to always bring my own, because nobody wants to be out of luck in that department. And you don’t just want any old brand, because we all know how unfortunate too-thin paper is, so I bring out the big guns and pack Cottonelle® with CleanRipple® Texture. It’s designed to clean better, so you can be clean and confident enough to even go commando (and fyi, people totally do, because why not?)
If you want to ensure a super clean feeling, go ahead and pack Cottonelle® Flushable Cleansing Cloths with CleanRipple® Texture, and then you will be all set to rock out any time, anywhere! Cottonelle® with CleanRipple® Texture is a proprietary innovation on all Cottonelle® toilet paper and flushable cleansing cloths that is designed to clean better (than the leading value brand), and it really works!
Your own water
This one is huge, because it is very easy to get dehydrated dancing in the sun in soaring summer temperatures. Trust me, it happens, and it doesn’t feel good at all. Water bottles can take up too much space, so I always bring a hydration pack with me. A hydration pack is a portable refillable reservoir that sits inside a small backpack, and has a large straw/tube for drinking. This is something that I take pretty much everywhere outdoors, not just to festivals.
Extras
There are a few extras that aren’t super necessary, but will certainly make your time easier. Giuliana Rancic recommends Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray, Naked Skin Beauty Balm, and a fun floppy hat to keep you shaded from the sun.
There are definitely more must-haves that I can list, but this is a great starting point! Oh yeah, and guess what? I have TWO great contests for you! First, you can head over here to win an all-inclusive trip to Wanderlust 108 Festival in Miami on October 22.
If you enter below, you could win a set of Giuliana Rancic’s festival must-haves of your own! Here are the details:
- The Cottonelle® “Festival Must Haves” Reader Giveaway (“Sweepstakes”) starts at 12:01 a.m. EST on July 25, 2016 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on August 8, 2016 (the “Entry Period”)
- Prizes: Cottonelle® Festival Must Haves Kit ($50 ARV) – Each kit will include a selection of fabulous festival “must haves” — Cottonelle® Flushable Cleansing Cloths with CleanRipple® Texture, a floppy hat, makeup setting spray, tinted moisturizer and moleskin.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
