Music Festival Season! 5 Tips to Stay Green

It’s time to start planning your summer entertainment indulgences. One of my favorite things about the warm season is all the opportunities to enjoy live outdoor music.

If you’re headed to Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Philly’s WXPN festival, Outside Lands, or any other fest you’ll want to keep things green while rocking out. Here’s 5 must -know tips to be prepared:

1. Transportation: If you’re staying local take advantage of public transportation. You’re lessening your carbon footprint, and you’ll be able to safely enjoy a few brews. Heading farther? Carpool! When I traveled to Bonnarroo in Tennessee a few years ago a friend rented an RV and we fit ten people in it – stopping to pick up some of our friends on the route along the way. (This was a better alternative than the four separate cars we had contemplated taking.)

2. BYO bottle: Whenever you can bring your own reusable water bottle to fill up through out the day. Summer heat combined with alcohol and movement can quickly mean dehydrated. It’s SO important to keep your thirst quenched with h20 all day.  And, you don’t want to be forced to buy plastic. Check the policy/FAQ page of said event before you go to see if they allow outside empty bottles. Most are cool with this but don’t allow filled bottles past festival security. You should be able to find water fountains or h20 stations, however.

3. Enjoy local fare: One of the best parts of most music festivals is the food. Taste the local grub! Go for the ma and pa stands over big retailers – your food will likely have had to travel a shorter distance and you’re supporting local business. A plus for vegetarians and vegans – veggie wraps, falafel, hummus and vegan hamburgers and hot dogs are becoming popular at these events.

4. Avoid paper handouts and flyers:  I’ve seen a lot of businesses use festivals as an opportunity to market. Ok, can’t exactly blame em but you can refuse their handouts so they’ll get the point and think of more eco-friendly ways to advertise. Often you see leaflets and flyers discarded all over festival grounds – help cut down on this waste.

5. Stock up on festival essentials

• Bring plenty of tissues (you don’t want to get stuck without toilet paper!)
• A towel – if you spill this will come in handy, and keep from having to use napkins or paper towels. Alternatively you may want something to mop your sweaty face off with as well.
• Sunscreen – nobody wants to burn.
• Snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or nutrition bars to keep energy up between meals.
• A light sweater or hoodie for chilly nights, and a poncho in case of rain.

Unable to venture far from home this summer? Here’s a few of the outdoor concert events in the area:

• Roots Picnic, June 2-3 in Philadelphia
• Orion Music + More, June 23-24 in Atlantic City, NJ
• CBGB Music Festival, July 5-8 in New York, NY
• Philadelphia’s 88.5 WXPN Music Festival, July 20-22 in Wiggins Park on the Camden Waterfront
• Catalpa NYC Music Festival July 28-29 in New York, NY
• Musikfest August 3-12 in Bethlehem, PA
• Made in America Fest September 1-2 in Philadelphia, PA