WHAT TO BRING
Lets start with this, since much about the festival will be revealed through the items that will help you get through it. Pay attention, there are some things you wouldn’t necessarily think of bringing.
Clothes:
· 5+ comfortable t-shirts
· Cargo shorts
· A fanny pack if you’re not fashion conscious (no one will judge you here)
· As many socks and underwear as you can hold
o You will want to change ‘em as often as possible
· A bathing suit
o Will be more comfortable than cargo shorts. The more pockets the better. Most will have velcro or buttons to keep your stuff safe. The best part is, it will get filthy, and you can just hop in a pool to clean it!
· Something colorful and fun to wear during the raves
o Yeah, no one is judging. But you’ll see some crazy outfits during the late night sets. Raver or not, it’s fun to put on flashy clothes for the all-nite dance jams!
· A hooded rain poncho
· A hooded sweatshirt
· Old ratty sneakers that you won’t mind throwing away
o Because you probably will want to at the end of the festival. I’ve tossed mine without regret the last two ‘Roos.
· ** Cushioned insoles (the thicker the better) **
o You’re gonna do a lot of walking and standing and this will make it so much more comfortable
· A watch
o A cheap one will be fine
· A pedometer
o For fun and bragging. And your health. I walked between 9-10 miles each day last year!
Food, Drink, and Toiletries:
· *** A CASE of bottled water
o Freeze as many as you can before putting them in the cooler.
· Four additional soda bottles or bigger filled with water
o Tap water is fine. Will be explained later.
· *** Sunscreen. As high a SPF as you can find and tolerate
· *** Baby Wipes
o Probably the most important thing you will need. This is the best way to clean up at your campsite, which will likely be nowhere near sinks and showers. It will also make your ‘business’ time much quicker and cleaner. If you can find individually wrapped wipes, go for it.
· The biggest and strongest cooler that can fit in your trunk
· Granola bars, Beef Jerky, other high-protein easy-to-carry snacks
· Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches. If you trust your cooler, prepare a few cold cut wraps.
· Those serving-size packets of iced tea/fruit punch/sports drink that are made for bottled water
o Usually have some added vitamins and simple sugars. And good to mix with vodka!
· 4 bottles of sports drink
o Freeze at least 2. Good to replenish fluids throughout the day.
· Multivitamins
· A camelback
o Not mandatory. But the lines for the drinking water often back up, so might as well grab as much as you can when you get there. Trust me, others will…
· Alcohol in CANS/PLASTIC
o I suggest sticking with beer. Light beer, believe it or not. It will dehydrate you the least. Bring enough to last you four days, plus some to share with friends! Don’t overdo it on liquor. Hangovers SUCK when you gotta walk a mile to the stage in 100 degree weather.
· Plastic ziplock bags
o Keep the contents of your pockets dry in case of rain or spontaneous fountain jumping. Seriously. Not to hold illicit substances… ;)
· Baby Powder / Gold Bond
o Lots of walking means lots of chafing. Even the strongest crotch will feel the burn. Don’t forget this.
· Deodorant
o Out of respect for your fellow festival-goers, please don’t forget this…
· Addl. Spray Deodorant / Cologne
o Quick easy way to freshen up
· Condoms
o Bonnaroo is nowhere near the sex romp that Woodstock was. Remember, most people go unshowered the whole four days, so you probably won’t even be thinking about getting laid. But hey, best to be on the safe side…
For the camp site:
· Tent, Sleeping Bag
o Self explanatory. Make sure the stakes are with your tent. Otherwise it will blow away.
· Gazebo tent
o Those awning-style tents. They’ll help keep the sun off your tent and give you a cool place to sit
· Small flashlight
o The battery free ones work great and will safely last the whole weekend
· A bed sheet or two
· Those solar blockers for your car windows. Get 2 if you can…
o I’ll explain how to use these and the sheet to comfortably sleep in your car
· One of those quick-folding field chairs
· Hackey Sack
o Ya know, in the past two years, no one brought a sack with them. WTF?!? Can’t think of a better place to have one.
For the show:
· Your ticket
o Duh
· ** A notepad and pen **
o The second most important thing. It’s so much fun writing down your thoughts and observations when chilling in a huge open field with music blasting and people acting all sorts of awesome.
· 4 copies of the Bonnaroo Map
· 4 copies of the Bonnaroo Lineup schedule
o Try to print double-sided so you can have two days on each sheet. Regardless, bring at least one copy of each day. The more you bring, the more you can share with your new friends!
· ** Digital Camera with video **
o Soooo many things you’ll want to take photos of. Especially if on substances that enhance visualizations. Make sure it has videos, cause at some points, still photos just won’t give the story justice!
· Cash
o Don’t expect anyone to take credit cards even if you know how to do it on your iPhone… There’s food, drinks, and snacks everywhere. And nearly a mile of flea market style arts and crafts leading towards Centeroo (stage area).
Now for the Do Not Bring. This list could go on, but these are things that tend to get lost or confiscated:
· Glow Sticks
o Hate to say it, but they WILL take them away at the gates if they find them. Yes, it does say it on the official website’s “Bring” list. But every year you’ll see a pile of them in garbage cans on the way in. They’ll be easy enough to find once you’re inside Centeroo.
· Balloons
o Same deal with the Glow Sticks. Don’t know why they say you can bring them in. They will get taken away. I think they’re afraid people will use them for whip-its.
· A cell phone
o Fine to leave in your car, but you really won’t need it on festival grounds. Especially if you’re solorooing. There are many areas where you can, and will probably want to, get wet, so don’t let your expensive phone get fried.
· Too much cash
o Lack of sleep, dehydration, booze, drugs… you’ll lose it or spend it all. If you’re not looking to go souvenir or “party favor” shopping and have a homemade sandwich each day for lunch, $100 should be fine. The food isn’t terribly priced for a festival (<$10 for dinner) and you can find cheap snacks around if you know where to look.
· Sandals or fancy footwear
o Remember, you’re gonna do a lot of walking. Uncomfortable shoes will ruin it for you. And your feet will get stepped on when dancing up to the stage…
· Glass
o They’re really strict about it and don’t take it lightly. I’ve seen them toss bottles of cologne away. If they find glass bottles in your car, you can guarantee you’re getting a thorough search. Don’t chance it when you can easily buy cans and plastic.
