Fairbridge Festival 2015 - The Essential Guide
Fairbridge Festival is a weird and wonderful three day folk and world music experience. While you're there, you will be absolutely immersed in new sights, friends and music, and it's just a really good time for all involved. We think that making the most of your Fairbridge Festival experience is important- so we’ve made you a handy guide to the 2015 festival.
There are two main groups of people with regards to making their way through the weekend. I call them the planners, and the floaters. I’m the former- I get my hands on the program weeks before, and I prioritise seeing international acts, and the acts that are only playing once over the weekend. At the festival, I'm up at the crack of dawn every day to have the worlds fastest shower, and I'm in the festival as soon as possible, with a full plan of attack. I talk to anyone and everyone who I run into at the festival, some who know me, some who don’t, and I ask what they loved, what they will see again, who they have seen before. Then more crazy planning begins..... I end up seeing a LOT of bands and I love being busy and cramming as much music in as possible.
Photo by Craig Hyde
Then there are the floaters. My partner is one of these, we tend to see each other in the morning, and then again at night- and that works for us! He doesn’t like running from stage to stage, and that’s okay. Floaters are usually happy to just wander, and see what takes their fancy, which is a much less crazy way to get around the festival. There are always a few must sees- but the rest will be what it will be. Even so, you still may be pretty busy on Sunday if there are last minute bands you want to see, so be ready...
Figure out which one you are and make plans! To help you on your way we have asked some of our own to come up with some little nuggets of wisdom to help you on your way, and these are a great start to help you maximise the long weekend.
- Take water, take sunscreen, and use both of them often. Take a hat too! Do also remember that it might rain, and prepare for that too. It also gets cold at night, so bring warm clothes.
Photo by Craig Hyde
“Go to the website NOW, and use the program to start planning your path through the festival. Make sure you take some risks and go to events you might not ordinarily go to.” -Rod Vervest, Artistic Director
- Love the festival, buy a raffle ticket. You never know, you could win….
- Have spare change, and give it to the tiny buskers. They could be on the main stage one day!
Photo by Ruth Marshall
- Eat well, bring your own fresh fruit and vegetables with you or buy from our numerous vendors at the festival. Fuel is important for getting through three days of fun.
- “Wear sensible shoes. Most Fairbridge Festival Veterans have what we call 'Fairbridge Shoes'. They come out once a year, and they're only worn for the festival. They're comfortable, waterproof, and do a lot of dancing. Get some, and love them.” - Woody Shurman, General Manager
- Make sure you go visit our 'Artist in Residence' Brendon Darby as he paints what he sees and feels throughout the weekend. It's always cool to see the beginning and then marvel at the end product.
Photo by Ruth Marshall
- "Sleep is overrated. Actually, sleep is very important. Just not at festivals. At festivals, having a late night dance is important. Finding a late night session is important. Panadol is important -- it kills the no-sleep headache. But not more than two or three times in a row, please." - Colleen Dixon, Former Board President and current board member
- Become a portaloo wizard. People often will exit a portaloo with the door in the 'locked' position- actually no one is in there, it just looks like there is. Find that toilet - you're helping keep queues down but mostly you're probably going to get a really clean toilet because no one has used it.
- Bring car games and music for the road trip, and the wait on the drive in. Be patient, and smile at the Entry Gods and Goddesses. They do good work and we love them. Remember that almost everyone working at the festival volunteers to be there. Be kind, clean up your own rubbish and look after our festival.
Photo by Craig Hyde
- "Bring your own reusable coffee cup, plates and cutlery. Save the environment and have a great time at our festival." - Louise Vermeulen, Ticketing Manager
- We love it when you bring kids, but write your mobile number on their wristband or shirt before you send them out into the wide world of the festival. It doesn't take long and could save a lot of stress.
- “Dress up! You'll be more likely to get snapped by our Festival Paparazzi and you'll have lots of fun.” - Leanne Casellas, Marketing Communications
- Send Fairbridge Festival your photos! They love seeing smiling faces and happy snaps pop up through the weekend. Take selfies with the artists and volunteers. You can find them on Twitter, @fairbridgefesti or Instagram, @fairbridge_festival, as well as on Facebook.
Above all, live in the moment and enjoy Fairbridge Festival. Take a camera, but try not to experience the festival through a screen. Talk to people, sing, dance, and remember that this festival only happens once a year, so love every second. If you have any more tips- we would love to hear them, so leave us a comment below.
Until next time!
Emma Bradstock- Social Media Guru, Fairbridge Festival
More photos by Craig Hyde can be found here: http://hkphotography.com.au/
