10 Hacks For Surviving Your First Bonnaroo

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One would think this is self-explanatory, yet without fail, every year thousands of kids get taken down by the dehydration monster. Apart from the obnoxious 40-year-old Europeans rocking out in the VIP section with drink coolers and open bars, most folks are on a budget. So, if you can’t afford water, make sure to keep a few refillable gallon jugs in the car or carry a couple liter bottles in a backpack.

Let’s reiterate: Bonnarroo is held in Tennessee during the summer. Sleeping in the car is not an option unless the idea of slowly baking in a car oven seems appealing. Hammocks are a great and cheap suggestion if you’re okay with sleeping fully exposed to the elements. It eliminates the need to sleep on the ground and are easily packable. For a more comfortable option on a budget, padded sleeping bags and tents are also quite handy.

Memorize this mantra: “Wet-Naps are my friend.” Ish gets real at Bonnarroo, like really rancid. There’s always a population of folks who will just take the whole not-showering-for-four-days pact. Only problem with that is, everyone takes that L, and usually much more severely than the odorous offender. Unless you can afford a portable shower, which allows you a steady trickle of water to take care of the basics, Wet-Naps and deodorant are the way to go.

Get to the festival grounds as early as possible to get into the best lot. Parking is administered on a first-come, first-served basis, and the better lots are located closer to the park. Additionally, the lot that is closest to the festival grounds hosts a shady little forest area, perfect for setting up camp in a cool little, semi-private area.

This, like water, seems like a given, but people tend to disregard the dangers of walking around in an open field, in the summer, without any sort of protection. Lobster backs abound by Day 2, highlighted by summer’s vividly-hued ensembles. How to avoid this? Sunscreen. SPF 30 is recommended for most young adults, but if you’re susceptible to sunburn, better make sure to get a higher SPF. Guidelines for the best SPF can be found here. Thank us later.

Food is available on and off the campgrounds, however, tight budgets don’t always allow for daily dine-outs. Plus, festival-goers get searched every time they re-enter the festival grounds; no re-entries, no cutsies, everybody waits, every time.

Canned, preserved foods are always recommended: fresh fruit, Slim Jims, any foods you don’t mind eating cold. Bonnaroo doesn’t typically allow outside food in, but you can at least eat your food outside and then head back in. Make sure to check out guidelines on food and drink as they tend to change on an annual basis.

Always map out the festival grounds upon entry, most importantly the medical emergency tent. If an emergency does arise, finding the emergency tent in a crowd of thousands of inebriated people is not even a little bit likely—at least not quickly.

Allergies to bees, pollen, basically anything in nature will flare up something serious. Remember: Tennessee, open field, summer. EpiPens, medications, and prescriptions should be carried in abundance.

This is not Coachella or SXSW. What does this mean? There are no readily available outlets in the vicinity unless you exit the festival grounds. Always carry a solar charger (or portable charger) for your phone, and any other necessary electronic accessories. This will be one of the only ways to connect with your friends or a familiar face if you get separated.

Let’s not forget Tennessee’s proximity to West Virginia and Texas. Big cities in the North have their criminal issues, but I don’t think any story rivals that of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Color me paranoid, but partying with strangers in open fields just doesn’t bode well in the movies or in real life. Keep it kosher (and safe): don’t just accept anything from anybody. Use your brain.

Phones die—or your lost it in the mud. Designate a time and place to meet up with all your friends at the end of the day if you find that you get separated. This allows everyone to ascertain their friend’s safety and whereabouts, whether or not you have SMS at your disposal.