19 ways to fest better this summer, Chicago

Find your sunscreen, prepare your body for an onslaught of fried food and dust off those fanny packs. Festival season is upon us, Chicago. With years of experience under our belts, we’re here to offer sage advice to festgoers, both newbies and experts alike. Whether you’re wandering into a street fest or braving the crowds at Lollapalooza, there’s a little something here for everyone. Go on, get the fest outside.

For a complete list of summer fesitvals, click here.

1. Where there’s an app, download it. In the past, major music festivals like Lollapalooza, Pitchfork and Riot Fest have offered apps that double as schedule-makers so you don’t miss the big acts you want to see. If there isn’t an app, take a photo of a map and the schedule, so you’re not lost if you misplace that tattered paper schedule you’ve been trying to hang onto all weekend.

2. Bike right. Waiting in car traffic is for suckers, so skip the cab and keep things moving on your bike. It’s cheaper, greener and sometimes gets you to the fun faster without getting caught up in the jammed-up streets. But remember: Don’t drink and bike—take the CTA.

3. Chat with vendors. Everybody’s got a story, and whether you’re browsing an art bazaar or tasting artisan food or drink, vendors want to share theirs. Even if you’re just window-shopping, ask about their work, where they’re from and how they got started. You could learn something that you wouldn’t have at first glance, making that print, T-shirt or bottle of wine far more special than you initially imagined.

4. If you’re venturing to a new neighborhood, scope out the restaurant options. You get to try something new, and the restaurant benefits from the festival foot traffic.

5. Think like your mom and bring wet wipes to keep your hands (and clothes) clean. Nobody has time to worry about dirty hands when the more pressing concern is “Burger or empanada?” In the spirit of reducing and recycling, one wipe goes a lot further than the 20 napkins you’ll need to get that Buffalo sauce off of your fingers. Thank me later (you especially, chicken wing kings and queens).

6. Bring cash. This may sound like a no-brainer to some, but cash is a hassle for others. It’s worth it to stop at an ATM before you go to keep lines moving and tip food and beverage vendors. Show them some love—it’s tough slinging your beer and hot dogs all day.

7. Make your festing last longer by packing a jacket or sweater. We all know that summer-by-day, fall-by-night weather. If you forget, however, there’s always booze.

8. Rain happens, so don’t leave the house without these items. Pack a plastic zippered sandwich bag to protect electronics such as your cellphone (with some phones, you can still text through the bag). Umbrellas are cumbersome and disruptive to other festgoers, so opt for a hooded rain jacket that can easily be stowed away. In case you plan to buy anything you wouldn’t want getting wet, stuff in a few plastic grocery bags to double up over that coffee-table book or print. Rain boots or flip-flops? If you can avoid the mud, flip-flops aren’t a bad choice for a single-day fest visit.

9. Collect business cards. You’re bound to see something your mom or best friend would love, but if you can’t afford it now, you’ll be glad you grabbed the artist’s card to circle back about that gift come holiday season.

10. Plan a park tour. Festivals are a great excuse to visit parks you’ve never been to or haven’t hit in a while. Neighborhood fests take place in or near parks all summer long, so pack a blanket and sprawl out among the art, music, food and festivities.

11. Leave open alcohol containers at home. Parades and fests are meant to end in celebratory shots and kikis with friends, not in jail. Pregame a bit at home and save the booze bingeing for the legal establishments afterward.

12. Be conscious of others around you so everyone can enjoy the show. We’ve all been there, perfectly situated on a picnic blanket enjoying some jams in the sun when along comes some jerk who puts her fold-out chairs right in front of you. Or maybe you finally found the perfect window to peek at the act you’ve been waiting for all day, only to be pushed out of the way by a Paul Bunyan-sized human who’s so tall, he can’t even hear your polite pleas to move at his altitude. If this doesn’t sound familiar, likely you’re the rude chair disrupter or Paul Bunyan.

13. Going to a food fest? Eat light the day before. Who wants to pick between tamales, pierogi and pulled pork sandwiches? Well, you don’t have to if you plan accordingly, and if there’s a sample or mini-portion option, take advantage of that. Calories don’t count during street-fest season.

14. Invest in fest boots. I’m looking at you, music festgoers—a good pair of waterproof combat boots can save your entire festival experience, especially in the very likely event that it rains. Not only should they be comfortable to keep your feet from getting tired, but puddle jumping and mud-pit hopping will be worries of the past with some badass boots keeping you dry.

15. Don’t be afraid to go alone. Take it as an opportunity to chat with vendors, make friends in the crowd and see a band you’d otherwise skip (especially if that means entertaining your guilty pleasure for ’90s cover bands). There’s no reason to miss out on a perfectly good opportunity to get outside, right?

16. Artists and musicians dig free promotion. If you record a video or snap a pic of a band or piece of art for social media, try to tag the artist or group. It’s a win-win for both of you.

17. Phones aren’t always the most reliable at big music festivals. It could take hours for a text message to go through, so save your friends and yourself some confusion by using time stamps (i.e. “Craving a Rainbow Cone. Meet me at the stand at 3:30 p.m.”). And don’t forget your charger. With all of those texts trapped in cyberspace, your battery is sure to drain quickly. Take advantage of the charging stations at the fest. You’ll be glad you did.

18. Check festival FAQs for items prohibited on fest grounds. Maximizing your time outside in warm months is important, so don’t waste time turning around to take Pickles home because of the “No dogs allowed” sign.

19. Bring a disposable camera. Whether you’re hitting up Riot Fest or a small street party, document your weekend the old-school way. Some drugstores still sell and develop disposable film cameras, and you won’t drain your phone battery with the nostalgic point-and-shoot.

@OhItsHeather

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