So it’s Halloween weekend. For some of you, that means another lame party with cliche costumes galore. Zombies, nurses, vampires, oh my! But if you’ve got any sense about you, it means you’re making the trek to Gainesville for the best party of the year, and Halloween’s got next to nothing to do with it.
Don’t believe it’s the best? How do you think they get away with simply calling it The Fest? But I digress! For those of you making the trip for the first time, Racket presents a list of the top ten items you won’t want to be without.
1. Beer cozy
The beer cozy is the single most essential item for a Fest-goer, hands down. Fortunately for you, Fest organizers realize this necessity and supply an official Fest cozy to all attendees at registration. With temperatures stretching into the 90s, you won’t want to be caught without this must-have Fest accessory.
2. Flip-flops
It’s Florida, dudes. Sure, Gainesville is inland, but it’s still hot and there’s still sand everywhere. While flip-flops aren’t the recommended footwear for pogoing, dancing or slamdancing in large crowds, there will be downtime, and downtime calls for flippy-floppies.
3. Earplugs
Often overlooked, these puppies reduce damage to your already pathetic ear drums, and will help insure the bands on Sunday sound just as loud and clear as the bands on Friday.
4. A bike
While a bike isn’t strictly necessary, if you can fit one into your travel accomodations, you’ll thank yourself for making it happen. A new band takes the stage every 10-15 minutes at one of 10 different participating venues. Walking from one venue to the next can take 20 minutes, not including time spent in line. A bike will make sure you catch all the action.
5. Sunscreen
Yes, you’ll be spending the majority of your time in dimly lit, cramped venues. But the time you spend in lines full of sweat-drenched punks with the sun beating down on you will be significant. Make sure you aren’t burnt to a crisp and your tattoos hold up just a little bit longer with some good ole SPF30.
6. A sleeping bag
There is a 90% chance that either you yourself or someone you meet is going to need a place to crash. If you have a sleeping bag, bring it along. While floorspace and congeniality are ample, beds are not.
7. Cell phone
Not everyone likes the same bands as you. Music at the Fest is as diverse as the languages spoken on a New York sidewalk. While there are general themes to venues on particular days, you’re gonna be jumping around and your friends won’t always tag along.
Luckily, the future has sent us a device that not only allows you to communicate with your friends from wherever you might be, but if your cell is from far enough in said future, it will even pinpoint your location and tell you how to get to your friends from that spot.
8. Camera
If you’re like me, this device is bundled up in your phone, but if you take your photos a little more seriously, you’re bringing along a Canon Rebel or some such. There is bound to be crazy shit going on and no one will believe you when you tell them Dillinger Four performed an impromptu set in gorilla suits at the Holiday Inn pool if you don’t have the images to back it up.
9. Alcohol
I bumped this down pretty far because, let’s face it, not everyone drinks. A really large contingency does, though, and the Fest is basically a giant party, after all. Venues will run out of stock on their cheaper drink options and some places aren’t cheap period. Be prepared to pre and post-party.
10. Friends
You could enjoy the Fest solo, to be sure, but you’ll enjoy it even more with good friends in tow. Plus, splitting expenses can make your stay considerably cheaper. Be on the lookout for new friends, too. They’re everywhere!
–Luke Toney