music fest mama's

[[e-mail]]

Hey there mama's....I remember there being a thread on here last summer but everyone must be out enjoying the summer shows cuz I can't seem to find it!!!

So in August we're heading to mulberry mountain near our home in arkansas for harvet fest. it's our first show with LO (18 mos) and we're SO excited!!!:

We're seasoned veterns (have been seeing shows since my first Dead show almost 20 years ago) but this will be the first one for us with kid in tow. So, I have a few questions...

Our big question is, should we take ear plugs? I'm thinking if we're not right by the speakers it could be okay but I don't want to jepordize his hearing. Any advice? if we should, do you have any recommendations on what kinds?

shows at night....Obviously we work on his schedule but he gets totally energized by music and when we've been to a local show he was up and dancing til close to mid-night! It was local though with other kids to play with but I'm wondering what's the festie ediquite on LO at late night shows? I just never paid any attention when it was just me. Any thoughts on this?

Any other advice or considerations? Anyone else planning on attending and want to meet up?

Thanks mama's. I love the MDC advice so I thought I'd throw out these questions and see what I get back....:

[mlh]

Hi! We are festival goers here with our 2 and 5 yr old. We really just got back into it 3 years ago, but things have been going smooth with the kiddos! We just got back from Rockygrass in Lyons CO and are now looking forward to Ned Fest in Nederland CO.

We have never used ear plugs....just don't get close enough to worry about it.

If you are worried about your LO at the night show, could you bring a baby carrier to use if he gets tired? Or you may just have to leave the festival earlier than you would like (I've had to do this many times with the kiddos).

Any other advice would be to just be prepared! Bring lots of snacks and change of clothes, layers if it gets cold. Bring some fun toys like streamers, balls, cars...anything just incase boredome sets in. And, the only way I am able to enjoy myself and not stress about the kids is to have a few drinks

Enjoy and let us know how it goes!!

[gr8tfulmom]

mlh is right on

Bubbles, kites and beach balls if you have lots of space. I would also throw in sunscreen and bug stuff. Maybe some extras too, as we ran into a bunch of 'free-er' kids whose parents were otherwise occupied. We all had a ball

Kids at shows at night are the norm here. We were vending at a festival *really* close to home a few weeks ago and our little guy just curled up in a chair with a quilt when he got tired, snoozed through 3 bands and we woke him briefly to get in the car around 3am.

We hadn't been to a festival since he was born almost 4 years ago, and man was it good to be amongst folks again

Have a great time!

[almadianna]

Hello mamas. This makes more sense in "Books Music and Other Media" so I am moving it over.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Originally Posted by mlh

Hi! We are festival goers here with our 2 and 5 yr old. We really just got back into it 3 years ago, but things have been going smooth with the kiddos! We just got back from Rockygrass in Lyons CO and are now looking forward to Ned Fest in Nederland CO.

I am so jealous!! We are usually at RockyGrass, DH's company is a sponsor, but we moved to NC this year so we didn't make it. Next year we are going to figure out a way to go. I was so sad when I found out that Yonder did a TBA performance on my BIRTHDAY. Wah!!!

We've been to a few festivals this summer with our guys, 3yrs and 7 months. I picked up some earplugs during the last one, so I'd say to bring them just in case. I've worn the baby most of the time, and we have let them nap on blankets. As far as the late shows go, we let DS decide when he has had enough.

I would LOVE to make it to Mulberry. Cadillac Sky and Infamous Stringdusters alone are reasons enough. Do not miss them!

[mlh]

RockyGrass is amazing! Sorry you missed it this year. Here are a few pictures from Friday

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Originally Posted by mlh

RockyGrass is amazing! Sorry you missed it this year. Here are a few pictures from Friday

Thanks for sharing! Your daughters are beautiful. NC festivals are so different from CO. Lots of BBQ, and no Sisters dumplings being one key difference! Seeing your pics makes me want to go next year even more, especially knowing our little festival guys will love it.

[[e-mail]]

thanks mama's!!! It took a minute to figure out where they moved this post. I never noticed this forum before!

The tickets came in the mail yesterday and we're soooo excited : Great ideas and advice.

We use to volunteer at the telluride bluegrass festival to see the shows for free and I love yonder mtn. I lived in boulder in 96 when they were still playing at the mtn sun brewery company. Good times!!!

I'll let y'all know how the show goes.....

[akayerich]

Hey festival mamas!
I just popped into this section to ask a similar question. DH and I have been big festival fans for a long time- him for 15 years, me more like 10. Anyway, this year we have a baby and haven't been to any yet. But we're considering going to Shammy Bash in Ohio in a few weekends with our 6 month old.
Is it crazy to take a 6 month old to a festival? I've got a few things working in my favor, like: 1. they try to let you camp by your car (so no lugging a ton of supplies a mile through a field with a baby wrapped on my back ). 2. we're still just breastfeeding so I won't have to worry about food for baby. 3. DS sleeps great in the wrap, so I'll just wrap him up if it gets too late. 4. It seems like a smaller fest with a nice family camp section, so hopefully it won't be too crowded and crazy at home base. 5. My baby love love loves music, so I really think he'll enjoy it.
Is there anything I'm missing? Can you think of any reason I definitely should NOT go to a festival with such a young babe? Any more tips on babies at a festival?

Sorry if I'm hijacking the thread- I thought it made more sense than starting a new one since the topics are so similar

[[e-mail]]

I can't believe it's been a month since we went to the festival!!!

We had a GREAT time!!! The only thing I'll do differently next year is go for more days (it's a 4 day fest). The venue ROCKED!!! Camping on site, 3 stages, and our local "ferry pranksters" from Eureka Springs AR built a stage too. It was a small festival, everyone was very happy to be there, and it was supper kid friendly. Our little one LOVED it. He skipped his afternoon nap, there was too much to see, fell asleep back at our "camp" after dinner and slept about an hour or so and then was up, dancing, checking it all out until around 1am!!! He scored tons of free glow in the dark stuff and when he was tired I nursed him down, layed him on a blanket, and DH and I danced until around 3. The music went all night long and everyone we saw was good.

If you have a chance to catch next years show I highly recommend it. :

Thank for the great advice.

I'm wondering if the other mama who posted ever made it to the Ohio show?

[mlh]

I am so glad the festival worked out for you Katiemae! Now you can plan to go for more days next year!

I was also wondering if the other poster went to the festival. i think taking a 6 month old to a festival is awesome...they are pretty easy at that age!

We went to NedFest a few weeks ago. The kids had a blast and even got up on stage to dance! Here is a link to my blog post on the festival and a few pictures! http://suzysunshine-suzy.blogspot.co...fest-2009.html

Festival season is over for us...but looking forward to next year!

[[e-mail]]

I love Nederland, I use to live in Boulder and there was a little diner we use to go up and eat at. Maybe next year we'll join y'all at NedFest!
By the way....Your blog rocks and what great links!!!
peace, love, light,
Katimae

[Down2Earth]

I love music! : We took DD to a fest nearby and we had a great time. But the music was super loud, even away from the stages, so we bought her ear muffs. (The kind to muffle sound not to keep you warm. ) She was 7 mo and was totally cool with them. Would it be too hard trying to make sure that the ear plugs are inserted correctly in a small child? Because with ear muffs you just have to make sure they are touching all around. Have fun!