Questions from a complete festival virgin...

Okay, so, I've never been to a festival before, but Sunrise looks fantastic and I can't wait! Couple of things I'm wondering about, though...

How safe are the tents? I get the impression that Sunrise folk are a very friendly lot over all, but I'm still a bit worried about stuff getting nicked... Obvs I won't leave any money in there, but is it likely that clothes/bags/a drum/whatever will get stolen if I leave them in there?

I'm one of those people who just cannot function without breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Should I bring a load of food that won't go off, or is the food cheap enough that I won't need to bring a bag of rations?

And, last question I can remember for now, any advice on what to wear? I know I need to prepare for heat and rain, but any specific insider tips would be awesome.

Thanks in advance, and I hope to see you guys in a few days! Smile

Hey hel, after spending the last three years working at festivals over the summers I have these words of advice to give.

on the point of tent security I find the best thing to do is to bring a small travel lock with you that you attach to both the inner and outer zip so that no one can get into your tent without looking suspicious. Works a treat ( well nothing has been stolen from my tent anyway ).

Food wise you dnt really want to bring lot's of perishable goods i.e fry materials, fruit that need to be stored in a cold dry place as they won't last. do bring some but plan it for the first couple of days. Food on site the last two years has been good value for money. not cheap but definateley good value.

The best way to plan what clothing to wear is just to be prepared for any sort of weather, rain jacket and waterproof trousers, lot's of socks, and just a mixtuure of light and warm clothing. I know it's gona sound mankey but look at it as 1 pair of clothes for every two days, It is a festi prepare to smell Razz

Oh another good tip is to bring wet wipes and that hand sanitizer stuff and plento loo roll.

i wouldn't worry to much about crazy nasty people at sunrise. It's definatley a great one to go to especially for your first one. Loveley people and a beautiful site. You are gona havve a blast.

Sure if your after some funky festival wise folk to camp with look out for the big spary painted tent with the crazy irish people in. We'll look after ya Very Happy

See you there dude.

Oh yeah forgot to mention that breakfast bars like nutrigrain or granola bars are great to bring. but I tend not to eat too much at festivals anyways

Thanks very much for the tips! Smile

Will def bring breakfast bars and dried fruit, great idea. And hand sanitizer too, will pop down the pharmacy asap and pick some up...

Hmm, waterproof trousers... Last time I went camping I borrowed a pair, but can't do that this time, so I guess I'll have to suck it up and buy some!

So two outfits overall - plus a dry set to sleep in, right? Or should I expect to not sleep at all? Wink

What d'you think I should do for shoes? Trainers, flip flops, hiking boots, wellies, or all four?

Yeah from everything I've heard Sunrise sounds like the perfect first-timer's festival I can't wait to meet everyone! And yeah I'll keep a look out for you guys, hehe Smile

Hel wrote (View Post): ›

What d'you think I should do for shoes? Trainers, flip flops, hiking boots, wellies, or all four?

all four!!

look out for the fw camp too!

Hey Hel

Good to hear yr starting yr festival-going with Sunrise - a good choice.

My advice would be not to worry about stuff. Don't bring too much - you can probably get almost everything you need on site, if you need it, which you won't. Just bring tent, bedding, some light waterproof stuff, something warm for the surprisingly cold nights, torch, waterbottle, bogroll, toothpaste, imodium...sorted.

Also don't worry about thieves - they only want money, shiny things like phones, mp3s etc or gear, so don't leave them in your tent.

Yr in fr a great time that won't depend on what you bring with you - just what you take away!

hey hel,

good to hear that you have picked sunrise as your first festival - you won't be dissapointed! (just think sunshine!) so long as its sunny you won't need any clothes! Wink

failing that bring something fancy dress - always fun!

make sure you bring a drum too - if you are worried about leaving it in your tent then you can always leave it with us at the chai chapel. there is gunna be quite a few of us keen for drumming.

there is not alot else that i feel i NEED at a festy, although a head torch is always useful.

oh and my fire poi always live in my drum bag (along with a Kazoo!)

just bring a smile, come say hello and you'll be just fine!

Sure sleep is for the weak Twisted Evil

all though I'm hopeing that I won't have another repeat of waveform where the was no sleep for nearly four day's. I could do without feeling like I want to die when I get home again Razz

Hel , sunrise is a good choice for your 1st festival.

good advice above I would just add -

dont take anything that is valuable that needs to be left in your tent.. keep anything valuable with you..

..I did loose my mobile last year and got it back!!!!

.. also talk to the people camped next to you, after all, nearly everyone one is doing the same as you just wanting to have a good time.. so keep an eye out for your neighbours and they will do the same for you <g>

..and you may laugh, but this is my packing list:

CYBER'S FESTIVAL LIST

Waterproofs
Boots/wellies
Trainers
Sandals
Sleeping bag
Blankets
Torch
Roll mat/bedroll
Gas cannisters
Camping stove
Water carrier
Camping chair
Tent
Mallet
Gazebo
Tarpaulins
Scissors
String
Festival bunting
Baby wipes/antiseptic wipes
Savlon
Plasters
Ibuprofen
Sunglasses
Condoms
Cup/spoon/coffee/milk/hot chocolate mix
Cereal bars
Nuts
Dried fruit
Bin bags
Plastic bags
Small bowl
Loo roll
Jacket
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Toilet bag and makeup
Soap
Flannel
Towels
Hair gel/comb
Picnic mat
Earplugs
Sun cream
Moisturiser
Pen
Mobile
Spare battery/phone
Mirror
Clothing
Loads of warm socks
Gaffa tape
Gurning and giggling gear
Tickets
Money
Alcohol (no glass bottles please)
Large trolley to pile it all on
Bungees to secure it
A strong back and pair of arms to haul it half mile to camping field Confused

CP x

thank you CP! I don't have to write a list now I shal printout yours!!!!! Just need to figure how to fit on my scooter!!!!!

Mart

Quote CP "..and you may laugh, but this is my packing list:..."

No clean under wear I notice <g>

Oh, but no hair gel and comb cos I shave my head Smile

CyberPurple wrote (View Post): ›
..and you may laugh, but this is my packing list:

CYBER'S FESTIVAL LIST

Waterproofs
Boots/wellies
Trainers
Sandals
Sleeping bag
Blankets
Torch
Roll mat/bedroll
Gas cannisters
Camping stove
Water carrier
Camping chair
Tent
Mallet
Gazebo
Tarpaulins
Scissors
String
Festival bunting
Baby wipes/antiseptic wipes
Savlon
Plasters
Ibuprofen
Sunglasses
Condoms
Cup/spoon/coffee/milk/hot chocolate mix
Cereal bars
Nuts
Dried fruit
Bin bags
Plastic bags
Small bowl
Loo roll
Jacket
Toothpaste/toothbrush
Toilet bag and makeup
Soap
Flannel
Towels
Hair gel/comb
Picnic mat
Earplugs
Sun cream
Moisturiser
Pen
Mobile
Spare battery/phone
Mirror
Clothing
Loads of warm socks
Gaffa tape
Gurning and giggling gear
Tickets
Money
Alcohol (no glass bottles please)
Large trolley to pile it all on
Bungees to secure it
A strong back and pair of arms to haul it half mile to camping field Confused

CP x

You forgot to include your famous bucket Wink

AND a spade for digging the pit under your trolley for it's "2nd use" Cheese Face

I would strongly advise against trying to secure your tent with a lock. This is bad because a visible lock makes it look like there's valuable stuff in there that people could steal. Basically don't leave anything in your tent that you would mind being stolen, keep all valuables on you at all times.

A much better way to "secure" your stuff is to scatter all your things all over the tent randomly, don't leave anything in bags as thieves can snatch them quickly. A thief won't want to hang around rummaging through all your sweaty socks, they just want to grab a bag quick and run.

Food wise I always take a few pot noodles, the food is expensive at festivals, but I tend not to eat much at parties anyway.

Wet wipes are a must.

you sound like a true proffesional lol

zenecho wrote (View Post): › Quote CP "..and you may laugh, but this is my packing list:..."

No clean under wear I notice <g>

That's included in clothing you silly zen. Everything about me is squeaky clean Wink

- except the dirty socks and pants that I save up for a couple of months to scatter round to put off tent thieves. Confused

CP x

Wow thanks for the advice everyone, I feel so welcomed! Very Happy

Finn - fancy dress? Really? I'd be worried about it getting covered in mud, ripped, lost, nicked, etc... Festivalling in fancy dress sounds really cool but dunno if I'd be able to manage something fancy AND practical AND wouldn't be upset if it got ruined/lost, hehe. And will def bring my drum and thumb piano, just bought them a few days ago and I'm having a blast! OMG. AND POI. Excellent idea. I'm just a beginner but bringing poi would still rock...

CP - awesome list! Don't think I'll bring any cooking stuff as it's heavy and don't know how to work it, and as my significant other isn't coming along it would be a silly of me to bring condoms, but mostly that is SO useful. Are we actually allowed to bring our own alcohol?! I was expecting it to be like gigs and clubs where you have to buy it 'officially'... (Edit: Oh, and what is "gurning and giggling gear"? I'm curious...)

Dr. Don - Yeah, I've heard that about tent locks (and I follow that principle with suitcases)... and I'm sure a determined thief could just slash the tent or whatever... but if I camp with a bunch of other people (with Ganjdalf or the FW group or something) then a thief is surely gonna be less likely to break into a locked tent with people watching (or when there's a risk of people watching) when he could just go straight into an unlocked tent and pretend to be a friend of the tent's owner if someone challenges him, or something... I don't know, it seems like a good deterrent in this situation - what do the rest of you guys think?

It's not that I'm gonna be leaving money or my mobile or anything in my tent - but I'd still hate it if my clothes got stolen! And my hiking boots, if I take those, were pretty expensive, and I can't carry those around with me the whole time...

Thanks again for all the replies, I really hope I meet you lot when I get there!

I see what you mean, but even if you camp with a big group of friends there's no guarantees that anyone will spot a thief. I've known people get their tents robbed at Glastonbury when they've been asleep inside them.

A lock does nothing to add to security, it only advertises the fact there's something in there worth locking up, and a thief isn't going to mind slashing open your tent with a knife to see if there's something to grab, IMVHO the best thing you can do is randomly throw all your clothes around the tent, make it as messy as possible and definetly empty all bags out.

I wouldnt lock your tent, im with don on taht one. it will encourage thieves rather than discourage.

as for fancy dress, its much much fun at festies and i dont do fancy dress that much! but you have to get past the worry of getting anything trashed. taht gose with everything you bring. obviously you aim not to get it trashed but youve gottta not worry at a festy, it gets in the way of fun!
Come camp with FW we'll look after you!