Attending outdoor music festivals is a popular summer pastime among students at Fort Lewis College.

“I’ll be attending Telluride Bluegrass Festival for the music and the chill atmosphere,” sophomore Sean Spainhower said. This festival is not as big as some of the others, like Summer Camp, but it's beautiful there.

The bluegrass crowd is always friendly which makes it great.  It is like being with good friends, family really, he said.
 

“My love for live music will keep me going to music festivals for many years to come,” senior Maria Van Husen, said. Her and her friends will be driving to attend Beanstalk Music and Arts, Telluride Bluegrass, Arise Music and Arts Festival and Telluride Blues and Brews.

Van Husen has attended Telluride Bluegrass for the last five years. “I thinks it is an amazing location with great music, and I like the older crowd and the good energy,” she said.

Van Husen will be attending Arise and Beanstalk for the first time this summer. She looks forward to music and arts festival, because she aspires to be a featured artist next summer, she said.

“For me what makes the experience the best is being able to branch off from your friends and get to meet other awesome people, dance with people you don't know and make new connections,” she said.

Essentials

“An essential item I must have at music festivals is a headlamp.  When the sun goes down and you don't exactly know where your campsite is, it’s nice to be able to see, especially with tent stakes and lines tied up everywhere,” Van Husen said.

You will need a water bottle because you will be dancing all the time and will need to stay hydrated, she said.  It is a good idea to bring a rain jacket as well because you NEVER know when the forecast might suddenly change.

“I like to bring a hammock as well so that I can sleep wherever I want when it comes to camping spots that are close to the main venue,” Spainhower said.

It is also important to bring good food to make and trade with others. Trading food is a great way to create a good communal zone and make new friends, he said.

“I always bring my grassroots hats with me, you want to look stylish and keep the sun out of your eyes,” she said.

Tips

“My tips would be to make sure to eat food. Whether it be from the vendors or the food that you bring from home. You must eat. Or whatever you’re doing will wear you out very fast,” Van Husen said.

Another tip is to not speed while driving to the festival. It is not worth it, she said. Cops on the roads will try and get you for anything, especially if there is a music festival nearby.

Also, try not to look like you are up to no good or act crazy while driving, even though you may be excited about the party, it is not worth getting pulled over, she said.

You should always have a safety person with you, and be generous, Spainhower said. “Being friendly and open to anything will make it way better.”